The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has approved the creation of the Center for Comparative Genomics, a new research hub dedicated to advancing genomics in animal and human health, agriculture, and conservation. This initiative is a collaboration between Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Positioned as a leader in comparative animal genomics, the center will provide faculty and students with cutting-edge research and training opportunities. It aims to drive interdisciplinary studies in animal genomics, focusing on improved production traits, disease resistance, and translational biomedical discoveries. The research will have broad applications, from enhancing animal health and agriculture to supporting biodiversity conservation and human medicine.
The center will be directed by William Murphy, Ph.D., a distinguished professor in the Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences. Texas A&M has played a significant role in sequencing more than 300 animal species, contributing to groundbreaking advancements in genomics. Faculty members affiliated with the center have collectively secured over $100 million in research funding and maintain collaborations with national and international institutions.
Financial backing for the center includes a $5 million commitment from the Chancellor’s Research Initiative and $1.8 million from Texas A&M AgriLife. Additional funding will support new faculty hires, research initiatives, and philanthropic efforts.
