Chemistry and Biochemistry

Associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry

Specialties:

Chemistry, Biochemistry, Rare genetic diseases, DNA sequencing, Bioinformatics, Art and science, Science visualization, Molecular animation

Bio:

Daniel Gurnon, the 2015 Indiana Professor of the Year, is especially interested in rare genetic diseases. He and his students work with the Rare Genomics Institute to analyze DNA sequences of patients – nationally and internationally – who have undiagnosed genetic diseases. Gurnon and students use bioinformatics techniques to try to identify potential  genetic causes of patients' conditions and connect them to experts in their potential disorder. The patients often come to them at the end of a long diagnostic journey. It is uncommon for undergraduate students to have the opportunity to do this kind of hands-on work. Students do analyses and write reports. 

Gurnon is also interested the intersection between science and art, and the artistic license in how scientists represent data. For example, Gurnon collaborated with an artist to create a series of protein sculptures that are displayed in the atrium of the Percy Lavon Julian Science & Mathematics Center.