Research Profile
The principal theme of the work of Dr. Motulsky is the role of heredity-environment interaction in the pathogenesis of disease. Dr. Motulsky introduced the concept of genetically determined drug reactions (pharmacogenetics) and worked extensively on several pharmacogenetic traits. Current emphasis deals with the extension of pharmacogenetics to other environmental agents (ecogenetics) in conjunction with the UW Center on Ecogenetics. Previous studies dealt with the frequency and genetics of hyperlipidemia in populations of patients with coronary heart disease. Dr. Motulsky’s current work in this field focuses on the study of lipid-related genes and is being carried out at family and population genetic levels. Another aspect of Dr. Motulsky’s work is on the molecular genetics of color vision genes. Much heterogeneity was found in the molecular make-up of color vision pigment genes in individuals with normal and with defective color vision. The psychophysical perception of color would be correlated with molecular gene arrangement.

Investigator: Dr. Motulsky is a Professor (Emeritus, Active) of Medicine (Medical Genetics) and Genome Sciences. Dr. Motulsky is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine and the American Philosophical Society, in addition to other professional honors.

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