The Jackson Laboratory Campuses

The Bar Harbor Campus of The Jackson Laboratory is the primary hub for biomedical research and education, focusing on genetics, genomics, and mammalian models. Educational programs here emphasize hands-on training in mouse genetics and genomics, preparing researchers for advancements in disease modeling and precision medicine.

• Mouse Genetics and Genomics: Intensive courses cover genetic mapping, CRISPR/Cas9 editing, and phenotypic analysis using mouse models for studying human diseases like cancer and neurodegeneration.
• Computational Genomics: Workshops teach bioinformatics tools, including RNA-seq analysis, single-cell sequencing, and genome assembly, with practical sessions on high-performance computing clusters.
• Advanced Imaging and Histology: Training in microscopy techniques, such as confocal imaging and tissue sectioning, to visualize gene expression and cellular structures in model organisms.
• Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine: Courses explore induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and their applications in modeling developmental disorders and drug screening.
• Immunology and Infectious Disease Modeling: Programs delve into immune system genetics, vaccine development, and pathogen-host interactions using immunodeficient mouse strains.
• Neurogenetics: Specialized sessions on behavioral genetics, Alzheimer's disease models, and neural circuit analysis through optogenetics.
• Bioinformatics for Precision Medicine: Training on integrating genomic data with clinical datasets for personalized therapeutics.
• Ethical Considerations in Genetic Research: Mandatory modules on animal welfare, data privacy, and responsible conduct in research.

These offerings span short workshops, multi-week intensives, and certificate programs, attracting scientists, postdocs, and students worldwide. The campus's state-of-the-art facilities, including the JAX Mouse Resource, support experiential learning. Annual symposia and guest lectures from leading experts enhance the curriculum, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. With a focus on translational research, participants gain skills to bridge basic science and clinical applications, contributing to breakthroughs in curing genetic diseases. The program's rigorous structure ensures proficiency in cutting-edge techniques, with over 300 hours of lab time per course. Alumni often pursue careers in academia, pharma, and biotech, leveraging networks built at Bar Harbor. This campus's legacy in mammalian genetics underscores its role as a global leader in genomic education.

The Farmington Campus, home to The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, specializes in human genomics and computational biology. Educational initiatives here target advanced training in genomic technologies for personalized medicine, integrating computational and wet-lab approaches to tackle complex diseases.

• Human Genomics and Variant Analysis: Courses focus on next-generation sequencing (NGS), variant calling, and interpretation using tools like GATK and ANNOVAR for identifying disease-causing mutations.
• Single-Cell Genomics: Hands-on workshops with 10x Genomics platforms, covering scRNA-seq data analysis, clustering, and trajectory inference for studying cellular heterogeneity in cancer and immunity.
• Precision Oncology: Training in tumor genomics, liquid biopsies, and pharmacogenomics to develop targeted therapies, including case studies on BRCA and EGFR mutations.
• Computational Biology and Machine Learning: Programs teach Python/R programming, deep learning models for predicting protein structures, and AI applications in drug discovery.
• Epigenomics and Regulatory Networks: Exploration of ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq, and enhancer mapping to understand gene regulation in development and disease.
• Population Genetics: Courses on admixture analysis, GWAS, and polygenic risk scores using large cohorts like UK Biobank.
• Clinical Genomics Pipelines: Practical sessions on building automated workflows for variant prioritization and reporting in clinical settings.
• Bioethics in Genomics: Discussions on equity in genomic research, consent in biobanking, and implications of direct-to-consumer testing.

This campus offers graduate-level courses, professional development series, and collaborative projects with UConn Health. Facilities include advanced sequencing cores and supercomputing resources, enabling real-world data analysis. Courses emphasize interdisciplinary skills, with guest instructors from industry partners like Illumina. Participants engage in capstone projects analyzing unpublished datasets, building portfolios for careers in genomics research. The curriculum adapts to emerging technologies, such as long-read sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. Over 200 trainees annually benefit from mentorship by JAX faculty, who are pioneers in human disease genomics. This location's proximity to clinical centers facilitates translational education, preparing learners to impact patient care through genomic insights. The program's depth ensures comprehensive mastery, with assessments via projects and presentations. Networking events connect students to the broader biotech ecosystem in the Northeast.

The Sacramento Campus, known as The Jackson Laboratory West, concentrates on mammalian genetics and high-throughput phenotyping for drug discovery. Educational programs emphasize applied genetics in a West Coast context, supporting collaborations with California's biotech sector and focusing on metabolic, cardiovascular, and aging research.

• Mammalian Phenotyping and Drug Screening: Courses train in automated phenotyping pipelines, using mouse models for high-throughput screens of small molecules and biologics.
• Metabolic Disease Modeling: Workshops on diabetes, obesity, and lipid disorders, including glucose tolerance tests and adipocyte analysis in genetically modified mice.
• Cardiovascular Genetics: Training in echocardiography, vascular imaging, and genetic models of hypertension and atherosclerosis.
• Aging and Longevity Research: Programs exploring senescence, telomere biology, and interventions like caloric restriction in long-lived mouse strains.
• High-Throughput Sequencing for Phenotypes: Integration of multi-omics data, including metabolomics and proteomics, with genomic profiling.
• Reproductive and Developmental Genetics: Courses on fertility models, embryonic stem cell derivation, and teratogen screening.
• Translational Toxicology: Hands-on sessions with in vivo assays for environmental toxins and safety pharmacology.
• Collaborative Research Design: Modules on grant writing, team science, and industry partnerships for tech transfer.

Located in the vibrant Sacramento region, this campus provides short courses, bootcamps, and customized training for pharma professionals. Facilities feature the latest in automated imaging and behavioral testing suites. Courses incorporate real-time data from JAX's global repositories, allowing comparative analyses. Faculty draw from diverse expertise, including visiting scholars from UC Davis. Participants complete team-based projects simulating drug development pipelines, enhancing practical skills. The curriculum addresses regional health priorities like agricultural impacts on metabolism. With flexible formats, including online hybrids, it accommodates working scientists. Annual enrollment exceeds 150, with emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Graduates advance in roles at biotech firms like Genentech, leveraging JAX's reputation. This site's focus on scalable technologies prepares learners for the demands of modern biomedical R&D, fostering innovation in therapeutic development. Ethical training covers humane animal use and sustainable research practices, aligning with California's progressive standards.