Section of Medical Genetics & PennGen
The Section of Medical Genetics was founded in 1970 and has focused on the study of naturally occurring genetic diseases of companion animals.
The section is dedicated to pursuing clinical and laboratory research on hereditary diseases of companion animals to better understand the disease processes and to develop novel therapeutic approaches.
The section offers opportunities in education and training of veterinarians, graduate researchers, and students in all aspects of comparative medical genetics through courses, clinical rotations, residencies, fellowships, seminars and publications.
PennGen is a genetic testing facility operated through the Section of Medical Genetics. It is a collection of labs that co-ordinate as a not-for-profit unit, offering routine testing for a variety of genetic diseases, metabolic screening for inborn errors of metabolism, and a number of other diagnostic genetic services. Along with genetic testing of national and international samples, PennGen engages in research to uncover the genetic basis of a wide range of diseases in all types of animals from domestic pets through to zoo animals and exotic wildlife.
For testing information, submission forms, or sample submission instructions, please visit PennGen's website at: http://research.vet.upenn.edu/penngen
To Contact the Section of Medical Genetics and PennGen
Paula S. Henthorn, Ph.D.
Professor of Medical Genetics
Urs Giger, Ph.D., Dr. med. vet., MS, FVH
Charlotte Newton Sheppard Professor
215.898.8894 (office phone)
215.573.2162 (office fax)
penngen@vet.upenn.edu
Medical Genetics Faculty and Staff
Faculty
Margret Casal, Dr. med. vet., Ph.D. Dipl. ECAR (Reproduction)
Associate Professor of Medical Genetics
Peter J. Felsburg, V.M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Immunology
Urs Giger, Ph.D., Dr. med. vet., M.S., F.V.H.
Dipl. ACVIM & ECVIM (Internal Medicine), Dipl. ECVCP (Clinical Pathology)
Charlotte Newton Sheppard Professor
Mark E. Haskins, V.M.D., M.S., Ph.D.
Professor of Pathology
Head, Laboratory of Toxicology and Pathology
Paula Henthorn, Ph.D.
Professor of Medical Genetics
Chief, Section of Medical Genetics
Natalia Samaj Kunze, MVD
2nd Year Resident
Research and Other Staff
Cait Fitzgerald, BS
Metabolic Genetics Laboratory Research Specialist
Doug Kennedy
Immunology Research Specialist
Junlong Liu
Postdoctoral Research Specialist
Thomas O'Malley
Medical Genetics Research Specialist
Patty O'Donnell
Animal Research Specialist
Ulana Prociuk
Cytogenetics Research Specialist
Michael Raducha
Medical Genetics Research Specialist
Susan Scheerbaum
Medical Genetics and PennGen Administrative Coordinator
Mark Thomsen
Deubler Laboratory Research Specialist
Ping Wang
Medical Genetics Research Specialist
Resources for Pet Owners