Wesley Warren , PhD

Wesley Warren is a professor of comparative genomics in Department of Animal Sciences, Department of Surgery, Institute for Data Science and Informatics. Dr. Warren is a recognized leader in the field of comparative genomics with a theme of looking at biology with a molecular lens.
His scientific journey started with basic animal physiology and has progressed to single cell transcriptome analysis of a broad spectrum of species. Dr. Warren’s research involves the use of whole genome comparative methods to examine genetic adaptation events within existing or newly discovered model organisms as a means to better understand human biology. His research has contributed broadly to a conceptual framework in the field of evolutionary medicine as illustrated by his labs sequencing, assembling and characterizing genomes throughout a broad span of Darwin’s tree of life. Many of his studies have resulted in highly impactful outcomes benefiting scientific understanding of these species. Today the availability of large volumes of genome sequence data has fundamentally changed our approach to trait discovery, whether it be in the form of genome assemblies, population sequencing, or gene expression variation in bulk or at single cell resolution. 
Dr. Warren’s lab is now carrying out single nuclei transcriptome experiments to identify a cell types specific molecular profile that contributes to our understanding of a species many phenotypes, that could substantially enlighten the ambiguous path that connects genes to their traits.

Research

• Research Lab Website Wes Warren Lab

Areas of expertise

• Disease Models
• Epigenetics
• Genome Analysis
• Human Disease Genetics
• Therapeutic Drug Development

Research Summary

Dr. Warren is a recognized global leader in the field of comparative genomics with 27 years of impactful research initiatives balanced over this time in both the biopharmaceutical industry and academia. A strong theme during this time has been looking at biology with a molecular lens. During his tenure at the McDonnell Genome Institute and now the University of Missouri, he has published over 181 peer-reviewed manuscripts. His scientific journey started with basic animal physiology and has progressed to whole genome analysis of a broad spectrum of species. Dr. Warren’s research involves the use of whole genome comparative methods to examine genetic adaptation events within existing or newly discovered model organisms as a means to better understand human biology. Through his varied roles as PI, co-PI, key investigator or key personnel on several NSF, USDA or NIH-funded grants, he has created a solid foundation in the field of genomics as illustrated by his roles in sequencing, assembling and characterizing genomes throughout a broad span of Darwins tree of life. Many of his studies have resulted in highly impactful outcomes benefiting scientific understanding of these species as noted in broadly read journals such as Nature and Science. Today the availability of large volumes of genome sequence data has fundamentally changed our approach to trait discovery, whether it be in the form of genome assemblies, population sequencing, or gene expression variation in bulk or at single cell resolution. In summary, Dr. Warren’s contribution to understanding the genetic blueprints of life, genomes, has substantially enlightened the ambiguous path that connects genes to their traits.
Research Interests
Comparative genomics
Single cell transcriptome analysis
Identification of disease genes