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University of Washington   |   Department of Pediatrics   |   Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology

Around 50% of individuals with a suspected genetic disorder remain undiagnosed after a complete clinical evaluation, which often takes years to complete. We believe this burden on patients and families is simply too high. In the Miller Lab, our goals are threefold: to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of genetic testing, to promote equity in genetic testing by reducing barriers to receiving a comprehensive genetic evaluation, and to better understand human genetic disease through the identification and characterization of novel disease-causing variation.


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OUR TEAM

Danny

Danny Miller, MD, PhD

Principal Investigator

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Zach

Zach Anderson

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Nikhita

Nikhita Damaraju, MS

PhD Student, Public Health Genetics

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Sophie

Sophie Gibson

PhD Student, Genome Sciences

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Joy

Joy Goffena, MS

Lab Manager

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Gus

J. (Gus) Gustafson

PhD Student, Cell & Molecular Biology

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KC

KC Kent, PhD

Genetic Counseling Student

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Angie

Angie Miller

Research Coordinator

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Maisha

Maisha Sinha

Undergraduate Research Assistant

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Sophie S

Sophie Storz

Research Scientist

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Sydney

Sydney Ward

Research Scientist

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Jianing

Jianing Xu, VMD

Veterinary Resident

Miranda

Miranda PG Zalusky, MS

Computational Biologist

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NEWS & VIEWS





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RESEARCH

Unsolved genetic disorders

We are interested in understanding why 50% of individuals with a suspected genetic disorder remain unsolved after a complete clinical evaluation. Using long-read DNA and RNA sequencing, we identify disease-causing variants that would be difficult or impossible to resolve using standard clinical testing. We are always happy to collaborate, so reach out if you have a challenging unsolved case.

Clinical applications of long-read sequencing

Standard clinical genetic testing can take years to complete and is diagnostic only 50% of the time. It's a challenging process often referred to as the diagnostic odyssey. We are working to change this paradigm by using long-read sequencing as a single test in the clinical setting. Our efforts extend beyond the genetics clinic into spaces such as cancer biology and infectious disease.

Structural variation

A major challenge when analyzing long-read sequencing data is interpreting all of the structural variants that are found. In collaboration with Oxford Nanopore, we are sequencing a large number of 1000 Genomes Project samples to understand what normal human structural variation looks like and to build a database of controls for everyone to use. Check out the 1000G ONT Sequencing Consortium site for more information.
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Methylation

Because long-read sequencing data contain signal for both the DNA sequence and methylation status, we can identify differences in methylation in unsolved cases and healthy controls. We are building tools to identify differences in methylation genome-wide and understand what methylation looks like in a large number of healthy controls.

Genome assembly and analysis

This is how we got into Nanopore sequencing! We are always interested in sequencing and assembling genomes from all critters big and small. We're part of a large group working on sequencing all of the species in the Drosophila species group, and we're interested in all types of genome assembly projects.

Long-read RNA sequencing

Sequencing of native RNA is just cool. We do RNA sequencing of our unsolved clinical cases and are interested in using long reads to identify tissue-specific isoforms and expression. Also, what are all those RNA modifications doing? Sequencing of native RNA from different tissues is going to be interesting.




Sequencing Services

SEQUENCING SERVICES

The Miller Lab operates the University of Washington Nanopore Sequencing Core, which provides long-read sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platform to researchers at UW, SCH, SCRI, FHCC, external institutions, and private companies. Services include whole-genome sequencing, RNA sequencing, variant calling and phasing, and methylation calling. If you are interested in long-read sequencing services, please visit the UW Nanopore Sequencing Core site for more information about sample preparation, options, and costs.



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PUBLICATIONS

2023
2022
2021






JOIN US!

Research in the Miller Lab is a healthy mix of computational and bench science. We believe that training the next generation of scientists – at all levels – is one of our most important responsibilities. While we value hard work, we also know work–life balance matters, so if you'd like to be part of a respectful, collaborative, and productive team, we'd love to hear from you! Feel free to email with any inquiries. email

Postdoctoral Researcher

We're currently recruiting for a postdoc position. To apply, please provide a current CV, a summary of your research accomplishments/goals/interests, and contact info for at least three references. Ideal candidates will have programming knowledge as well as wet lab experience and an interest in long-read sequencing. Click here for more information.

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SUPPORT

We are grateful for the generous support our research program receives from the National Institutes of Health Director's Early Independence Award, the UW Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, and the Brotman Baty Institute for Precision Medicine.

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CURRENT FUNDING
  • University of Washington Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology: Building Bridges Award. (July 2023–2024) Miller DE (Co-PI).
  • National Institutes of Health Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5): Long-read DNA and RNA sequencing to identify disease-causing genetic variation and streamline testing. (September 2022–August 2027) Miller DE (PI).
  • Brotman Baty Institute: Establishment of a long-read sequencing cost center. (2021–2024) Miller DE (PI).
  • Brotman Baty Institute (2022 Catalytic Collaborations): Investigation of new molecular diagnostics for mitochondrial disorders. (2022–2023) Miller DE (Co-PI).
PREVIOUS FUNDING
  • Brotman Baty Institute (2021 Catalytic Collaborations): Targeted long-read sequencing to resolve complex structural variants and identify missing variants. (2021–2022) Miller DE (PI).
  • Brotman Baty Institute (2019 Catalytic Collaborations): Long-read whole-genome sequencing of unsolved Mendelian cases of disease. (2020–2021) Miller DE (Co-PI).
MAKE A DONATION

We appreciate your interest in our research. If you would like to make a contribution to a Miller Lab study, please write a brief letter designating the funds to research by Danny E. Miller, MD, PhD, and indicate the study topic you wish to support. Include your name and address in the letter, and send it with a check or money order to:

Miller Laboratory, Department of Pediatrics
University of Washington
1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356320
Seattle, WA 98195-6320