Donnelly Centre welcomes Dr. John Morris as new Assistant Professor driving forward research on human functional genomics

The Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research welcomes new Assistant Professor John Morris, who will be using cutting-edge technologies to determine the impact of variation across the human genome on traits and disease.

Morris joined the Donnelly Centre on April 1, 2024.

As an assistant professor of molecular genetics, Morris will be combining the fields of computational biology and experimental biology to explore the connection between genetics and disease. Morris plans to use techniques like pooled CRISPR screens and single-cell sequencing to this end.

“We are fortunate to have John Morris join our faculty,” said Stephane Angers, director of the Donnelly Centre. “The Donnelly Centre is home to functional genomicists at the top of their field, and we are growing our collective expertise by hiring faculty members that bring new perspectives and approaches. John will contribute to our advancements in identifying and targeting genetic determinants of disease.”

Originally from Toronto, Morris pivoted from an early education in music at the St. Michael’s Choir School to studying genetics as an undergraduate student at Western University, citing the problem-solving nature of this area of research as its draw.

Morris then pursued a PhD degree at McGill, where he studied the impacts of gene loss on bone-related traits and osteoporosis. He led the development of a method for leveraging genome-wide association studies and CRISPR to systematically target non-coding regions of the genome implicated in disease, resulting in a landmark paper in the journal Science.

“I always had the academic track in mind for my career,” said Morris. “I specifically wanted to focus on translational research, which is why I ended up in human genetics.”

The Morris lab at the Donnelly Centre will continue his PhD research on bone density and osteoporosis using high-throughput perturbation screens. This technique involves manipulating enhancers to determine their impact on gene expression and regulatory networks.

“What brought me to the Donnelly Centre was the high-throughput facilities, like the sequencing core, and the collaborative nature of the labs,” said Morris. “The design of the building and lab spaces reminds me of the New York Genome Center, where I was a postdoctoral fellow. I like the open lab style that encourages researchers to move away from working in silos.”

Morris looks forward to collaborating with other Donnelly Centre faculty members, including Mikko Taipale, associate professor of molecular genetics, and Stephane Angers, professor of biochemistry and pharmaceutical sciences.

Morris also envisions exploring partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, where his lab would find high-priority drug targets for companies to lead commercialization efforts on and develop protocols for companies to implement.

“I hope to create a program at the Donnelly Centre for high-throughput perturbation screening that goes beyond my own research,” said Morris. “One of the goals of my lab will be to extend its capabilities to offer technology and expertise to other faculty members conducting research on gene expression.”

Visit Morris’s faculty profile on the Donnelly Centre website to learn more about him and his research.