12/27/2023
Dr. Feixiong Cheng named inaugural director of new Cleveland Clinic Genome Center
Feixiong Cheng, PhD, has been named founding director of the new Cleveland Clinic Genome Center. In this role, he will develop and lead the global center to advance genetic and genomic sciences and their applications to novel biomedical discoveries.
Since joining Cleveland Clinic in 2018, Dr. Cheng, whose research primarily focuses on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, has emerged as a leader in systems biology – modeling complex interactions between the body's genes, proteins, metabolism and other systems to explore human health. His advanced multisystem approach integrates artificial intelligence, genomic medicine, network systems biology assays and other in/ex vitro methods to analyze large sets of biological data. In collaboration with Cleveland Clinic colleagues and international investigators, Dr. Cheng's research has attracted more than $30 million in grant support over the past six years.
"Feixiong's expertise in network systems biology analysis of human genomes and multi-omes offers a unique viewpoint of the complex factors influencing human health and disease," says Charis Eng, MD, PhD, Director of Genomic Research Strategies in the Chief Research and Academic Office. "There is no one more qualified to lead the new Genome Center as it establishes itself as an integrated, interdisciplinary authority in systems biology and complex genomic research."
The new global Genome Center will focus on the ways our unique genetic codes work alone and in tandem with other systems, building on Cleveland Clinic's genomic research, precision diagnostics and therapeutics development efforts. Genomics, proteomics and metabolomics inform effective delivery of treatments tailored to an individual's risk factors and health.
"As the genomic and multi-omic fields become increasingly more data-intensive, genome science and research are becoming a 'digital genome' engineering field," says Dr. Cheng. "The emerging development and application of advanced experimental genomic technologies and computational tools in adjacent fields will revolutionize our understanding of human genetic codes and underlying biology."
These efforts will lead to streamlining biomedical research and therapeutics development, the Genome Center's essential goals.
"The Cleveland Innovation District is about attracting top talent from across the globe to position Northeast Ohio as a leader in biomedical and life sciences research," says Serpil Erzurum, MD, Cleveland Clinic's Chief Research and Academic Officer. "Feixiong has a brilliant mind, a spirit of discovery and passion for helping change the course of disease. This, in conjunction with his experience leading multidisciplinary global genomic research teams, makes him the perfect leader for our new global Genome Center."
