The Center for Clinical Genomics of Microbial Systems (CC-GEMS) applies next-generation sequencing and related technologies to clinical medicine with materials from patients and/or research subjects.

The Center’s goal is to generate new information on pathogens, microbiomes, and host-parasite interactions that may lead to an improved understanding of host-microbial interactions and improvements in clinical care. The Center:

  • Provides the WUSM infectious disease community with access to NGS and related technologies
  • Promotes development of novel diagnostic approaches (based on NGS data) and treatments
  • Link experts in microbial genomics and metagenomics bioinformatics analysis with clinicians, microbiologists, and subject samples
  • Train clinicians and scientists in the basic principles of microbial genomics and study design

These activities enable Washington University to maintain its position as a leader in the field of Genomics of Microbial Systems; they also enable clinical, translational and basic science researchers to explore understudied aspects of infectious diseases, host-microbe interactions and variations in the human microbiome in health and disease. The Center supports basic, translational, and clinical research. CC-GEMS projects facilitate development of new therapeutics and diagnostics for infections and other microbially-driven conditions.