Meet Our Researchers

Diane Genereux

Research Scientist, Vertebrate Genomics Group, Broad Institute

Diane Genereux studies the DNA of various mammalian species to provide a window into the pathways involved in human disease.

Project Description

How are bats able to harbor coronaviruses—like SARS, MERS, and SARS-CoV-2—without getting sick? Diane plans to shed light on this biological mystery by using her BroadIgnite award to compare gene expression patterns in human, ferret, and bat cells experimentally infected with SARS-CoV-2. Drawing on the genomic similarities and shared evolutionary history of mammals, Diane aims to identify genetic features that allow bats to tolerate this deadly pathogen, potentially pointing to new therapeutic insights for Covid-19.