Medical Genetics
Welcome to the Department of Medical Genetics
This is a very exciting time for the field of Medical Genetics, with almost daily advances occurring in our understanding of the causes of human disease. Our department, through integration of clinical care, education, and basic research, is striving to translate these medical genetics advances into improved health for Canadians. Our Department consists of an exceptional and dedicated group of scientists, clinicians, technical and support staff, and trainees who have come together with a shared vision of increasing the understanding of the causes and consequences of genetic disease, in improving diagnosis and patient care, and in educating other professionals and the public about medical genetics.
Programs
Current Graduate Students
Current graduate (MSc and PhD) students in the Department of Medical Genetics can view information pertaining to their program here. This includes the graduate manual, coursework, ethics, and other resources.
Prospective Graduate Students
As part of the Medical Sciences Graduate Program, in the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, you can obtain an MSc or PhD degree in Medical Genetics. We provide an excellent training program in a range of areas including cancer, developmental genetics, gene discovery, and molecular diagnostics using several different model systems and focused on several different genetic diseases.
Clinical and Laboratory Fellowships
The department of Medical Genetics is actively involved in medical training for various fields of Medical Genetics. The department is accredited with the Canadian College of Medical Genetics as a training site for:
- Clinical Biochemical Genetics (metabolics)
- Clinical Genetics
- Laboratory Biochemical Genetics
- Genetic and Genomic Diagnostics
Medical Genetics Clinic
The Medical Genetics Clinic, located in the Medical Sciences Building at the University of Alberta, provides comprehensive clinical medical genetics services to prenatal, pediatric and adult patients. Medical geneticists are expert in offering diagnostic services, medical recommendations and treatment options for those who have genetic disorders. Genetic counselors specialize in education and resources about these conditions to patients and their families.
Offered IN THE WINTER term
MDGEN 407 - AN INTRODUCTION TO GENETIC COUNSELLING
An interactive course designed to provide undergraduate students insight into the role of a genetic counsellor through exploration of key topics. The class meets once a week for a 2-to-3-hour discussion. Each week students will be presented a typical genetic counselling case, which they will then write up and present to the entire class the following week. All students will then participate in the discussion of the case. The course is graded based on presentations, written assignments and participation. Open to undergraduate students with permission of the course instructor. Credit may only be obtained in one of MDGEN 407 or MDGEN 507. For more details, please see:
https://sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/mdgen407/home
Sajid Merchant
Offered IN THE WINTER term
MDGEN 401/601
This is a combined course but with separate assignments and evaluation.
This course will cover the fundamental medical genetic concepts and modern techniques in both laboratory research and clinical application. Specific examples of diseases seen in the genetic clinics will also be used to illustrate key genomic principles.
MDGEN 401 Syllabus
MDGEN 601 Syllabus
Zhixiang Wang, Peter Kannu
Offered in the Fall term
MDGEN 403 - Principles of Medical Genetics
The rapid expansion of our understanding of the human genome has created new, exciting possibilities to understanding the root causes of human disease and improve health. However, this also leads to real and potential problems - both ethical and practical. This senior level undergraduate course will consist of four modules each covering different aspects of the scientific theory underlying the practice of Medical Genetics.
Sajid Merchant, Oana Caluseriu, Sherryl Taylor, Karen Niederhoffer and Peter Kannu
Dr. Oksana Suchowersky and Dr. Chris Eagle Clinical Fellowship
The Dr. Oksana Suchowersky and Dr. Chris Eagle Clinical Fellowship was created through a generous donation with the intention of building capacity and expertise in the areas of neurogenetics, neurology or genetics. The fellowship is tenable at the University of Alberta with preference given to neurogenetics. Candidates must have or currently be enrolled in specialty training in neurology or genetics, and be an MD or PhD/MD and eligible for licensure in the province of Alberta.
Contact Shailly Jain via email for further information.
Message from the Chair
Welcome to the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Alberta. Genetics underpins every aspect of life, contributing not only to our rich diversity, but also influencing health and disease.
Collaboration is a value within our department. We are a community of scientists and clinicians who teach, research and deliver clinical care through the use of innovative techniques and discoveries. At the core of our diverse department are our people who work hard to achieve these goals with integrity.
Scientific leadership in our department focuses on several areas of genetics. Our research laboratories are equipped to study human single gene disorders utilizing a functional biology approach. Our department hosts a team of highly specialized clinicians including Clinical and Metabolic geneticists, and genetic counsellors. Our clinicians provide expertise in a number of different areas of genomic and biochemical medicine, supported by a dedicated team of administrative staff.
The Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Alberta has been providing leadership for our community for close to a quarter of a century. As Chair, I look forward to blazing this trail and encourage you to join with us in this exciting decade of discovery!
Peter Kannu, MB ChB, DCH, PhD, FRACP, FRCPC
Associate Professor and Chair
News + Events
Noor Abdel Wahab Receives One Child Every Child Graduate Scholarship!
Congratulations to Noor Abdel Wahab for being selected for the prestigious scholarship! This award recognizes exceptional talents at the graduate level and position scholars for success as the research leaders of tomorrow! Be sure to congratulate her next time you see her!
Jamie Leckie Receives CIHR Graduate Scholarship!
Congratulations to Jamie Leckie for being awarded the CIHR Doctoral Program Scholarship. Her work will continue community guided development of genetic therapies for Spinal Bulbar Muscular Atrophy. Make sure to let her know when you see her next!
Dr. Takayuki Kuroda Receives CIHR Postdoctoral Research Award!
Dr. Takayuki Kuroda in the laboratory of Dr. Yokota has been given this award through the University of Alberta's new Canada Impact+ Research Training program. The award highlights our department's growing strength in attracting international research talent in health, biotechnology, rare disease research, and RNA therapeutics. Congratulations, Dr. Kuroda!
Dr. Mercimek-Andrews Looks To Energy Efficiency To Treat Epilepsy!
Children with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy have issues with the breakdown of lysine, leading to significant physical and cognitive issues. However, as Dr. Mercimek-Andrews has shown, this issue may be resolved at least in part with the use of a chemical that maintains energy production in the cell. It's a fantastic look at how we may treat conditions by resolving downstream issues!
2026 Is Umme Sabrina Haque's Year!
Hot off the heels of her oral presentation win at Rare Disease Day, doctoral student Umme Sabrina Haque has won the 3 Minute Thesis competition. Her presentation, A Cure with a Passport, takes us into her work developing therapies for Spinal Muscular Atrophy in Dr. Yokota's laboratory. Next time you see Sabrina, make sure to congratulate her for an amazing year!
Dr. Suchowersky Finds a Rare Diease In A Rare Place
Her research team has discovered Cayman ataxia in northern Canada, reshaping how doctors understand rare inherited brain disease
Susan Christian and Tara Dzwiniel Explore Cardiac Genetic Counselling
In a recent publication, they discuss the importance of improving familial screening and preventing disease complications.
Congratulations Dr. Rika Maruyama
Our very own Dr. Rika Maruyama has been awarded close to $75,000 USD by the Kennedy’s Disease Association (KDA), the world’s leading patient advocacy group for Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA). This prestigious grant empowers her to continue her critical gene-silencing research, accelerating the global search for a cure. Make sure to let her know that we're proud of her!
Dr. Harry Wilton-Clark Wins Big At Falling Walls!
Our very own Harry Wilton-Clark presented his exceptional doctoral work at a global science competition in Berlin and won THIRD PRIZE ahead of over 100 competitors! He'll be back next week and we hope you congratulate him for this outstanding achievement.
Dr. Anastassia Voronova Named Future Leader in Canadian Brain Research
Brain Canada in collaboration with the Azrieli Foundation has announced an investment of $2.2 million into the "Future Leaders" program. Among these distinguished recipients is Dr. Anastassia Voronova, the only researcher not located in either Ontario or Quebec.
Q&A with Dr. Sarah Hughes on Mentorship
Dr. Hughes has won the Excellence in Mentorship Award. We caught up with her to learn what the award means to her and what is the secret to a successful mentorship.
WCHRI and MedGen Celebrate Their Collaborations
As the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute celebrate their 20th anniversary, this article pays tribute to our department and the collaborations that have brought significant success to both organizations.
Dr. Anastassia Voronova Wins The Killam Accelerator Research Award
Dr. Voronova has been awarded the prestigious Killam Acclerator Award from the Killam Trusts. This annual award recognizes excellence in research and commitment to a better world.
Medical Genetics Featured by Mobility International USA
Back in 2019, Omar Sheikh, a Fulbright scholar, spent 8 months in Dr. Yokota's Lab, focusing on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy treatment. He shares his story and reveals the importance of studying in Canada. It is a very worthwhile read.
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Rahman MM, Kim JS, Li L, Feisal MR, Mak KYL, Tavasoli M, Wang Z, Ballermann BJ, Hwang PM. CLIC5A binds to and stabilizes the open and active conformation of ezrin. J Biol Chem. 2025 Aug 28;301(10):110646. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2025.110646.
Haque US, Kohut M, Yokota T. DG9-Conjugated Morpholino Rescues Phenotype in Spinal Muscular Atrophy Mice. Methods Mol Biol. 2026;2963:15-40. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4738-7_2.
Shah MNA, Sutanto LE, Yokota T. DG9-Conjugated Morpholino-Based Exon 51-Skipping Therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Methods Mol Biol. 2026;2963:1-14. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4738-7_1.
Zia A, Yokota T. Upgrading nucleic acid and antisense therapeutics: challenges, solutions, and future directions. Bioanalysis. 2025 Sep 22:1-9. doi: 10.1080/17576180.2025.2554565.
If you have a publication you wish to share here on the Medical Genetics website, please send to medgen@ualberta.ca.