Exploring the Power of Genomics and Epigenomics in Understanding Human Health

Manolis Kellis, a professor of computer science at MIT, discusses the field of computational biology and how it uses large datasets to gain insights into genetics, health outcomes, and disease mechanisms. His research focuses on genomics and epigenomics, which explore the ways genes are turned on and off. Through his work on obesity and epigenomics, Kellis reveals the connection between certain genes and the development of white or brown fat in the body. He also delves into his research on Alzheimer's disease, investigating genetic variants and pathways related to cholesterol transport in the brain. Kellis emphasizes the importance of personalized medicine and developing drugs that target specific pathways to tackle complex disorders, like Alzheimer's. In the future, his goal is to continue unraveling these circuits and creating drugs that have a positive impact on human health.