Bioinformatics and Genomics hero

Bioinformatics and Genomics

Find and interpret patterns in large and complex biological data

The application deadline is updated annually, please see the “Apply Now” page for current information

Program Overview

  • Provides students with educational and research training in broad areas of computational, evolutionary, and functional genomics
  • Offers optional specialization in algorithms and computation and statistical genomics
  • Delivers problem-based instruction, starting with exposure to bioinformatics and genomics tools and moving on to in-depth analysis of genomic and proteomic data
  • Positions students to be competitive for NIH-funded training fellowships in the “Computation, Bioinformatics, and Statistics”, “Biomedical Big Data to Knowledge”, or “Eukaryotic Gene Regulation” programs
  • Offers both M.S. and Ph.D. programs, including laboratory rotations
  • The Penn State Bioinformatics & Genomics program does not accept or consider GRE scores as part of our admission decision process. We employ a holistic review based on several criteria including academic performance, research experience, participation in scientific and professional development activities, and accomplishments outside of academia, among others

Opportunities for Underrepresented Minorities and Students with Disability

The bioinformatics and genomics program actively recruits students of diversity and disability. Senior undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience may consider attending the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP) and J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School Open House. Accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Students are considered for predoctoral trainee fellowship support.

Computation, Bioinformatics, and Statistics (CBIOS) Training Program

Eukaryotic Gene Regulation (EGR) Training Program

News

Huck names Leadership Fellows for 2026-27

The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has selected three faculty members to serve as Huck Leadership Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year. The competitive program prepares faculty for future leadership roles while engaging them in strategic initiatives that advance interdisciplinary research at Penn State.

Q&A: New text to serve as reference for advances in plant development

Hong Ma, professor of biology and J. Lloyd Huck and Dorothy Foehr Huck Chair in Plant Reproductive Development and Evolution at Penn State, is the co-editor of a new book, Regulation of Plant Development, recently published by Springer Nature. The book presents a synthesis of recent advances in plant vegetative growth and diverse aspects of reproductive development; serves as a comprehensive resource for students, postdocs and researchers in plant development; and provides an integrated reference for scientists advancing genetic improvement of crop plants for sustainability, according to Ma and co-editors.

Q&A: What can plant evolution teach people about breeding better crops?

May 22 is United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity, drawing attention to a critical resource for developing crops that are resilient or resistant to extreme weather and other threats to their health, according to Jesse Lasky, associate professor of biology at Penn State.

News

Huck names Leadership Fellows for 2026-27

The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences has selected three faculty members to serve as Huck Leadership Fellows for the 2026-27 academic year. The competitive program prepares faculty for future leadership roles while engaging them in strategic initiatives that advance interdisciplinary research at Penn State.

Q&A: New text to serve as reference for advances in plant development

Hong Ma, professor of biology and J. Lloyd Huck and Dorothy Foehr Huck Chair in Plant Reproductive Development and Evolution at Penn State, is the co-editor of a new book, Regulation of Plant Development, recently published by Springer Nature. The book presents a synthesis of recent advances in plant vegetative growth and diverse aspects of reproductive development; serves as a comprehensive resource for students, postdocs and researchers in plant development; and provides an integrated reference for scientists advancing genetic improvement of crop plants for sustainability, according to Ma and co-editors.

Q&A: What can plant evolution teach people about breeding better crops?

May 22 is United Nations International Day for Biological Diversity, drawing attention to a critical resource for developing crops that are resilient or resistant to extreme weather and other threats to their health, according to Jesse Lasky, associate professor of biology at Penn State.

How can the same genetic mutation lead to different clinical outcomes?

Individuals that share the same deletion of a portion of chromosome 16 are at risk of developing neurodevelopmental disorders, but some experience severe intellectual disability or developmental delay, while others may only exhibit milder psychiatric features like depression or anxiety. How can this be? To answer this, a team led by Penn State scientists has developed methods to evaluate how genetic variants elsewhere in an individual’s genome work with the deletion to help determine the features that the individual will manifest.