Joris Vermeesch

Joris R. Vermeesch, Ph.D. Ir, is chair of the department of human genetics and heading the Constitutional Cytogenetics unit of the Center of Human Genetics. He is coordinating the genomic core Leuven. The laboratory has been pioneering applications for genome wide genetic analyses for preimplantation, prenatal and postnatal diagnosis. The laboratory has a special focus on structural variation detection and studies the mechanisms underlying chromosomal instability and rearrangements. He developed methods for single cell CNV detection and addresses questions about the origins of chromosomal rearrangements and genomic instability by the genetic analysis of IVF embryos. The laboratory developed and translated novel methods for non-invasive prenatal and cancer testing. In collaboration with clinical geneticists, the laboratory actively seeks to define the molecular causes of developmental, mental and behavioural disturbances. The group invests in the new generation of sequencing technologies and is involved in research enabling whole genome analyses. The group is partner of the SymbioSys, a KULeuven center of excellence in computational biology and he is founder of the Leuven institute of genomics and Society (LIGAS). Prof. Vermeesch has published over 300 papers, H-index 51 and founder of a spin-off company Cartagenia.