Research

The CCG, established in 2004, is a leading interfaculty center dedicated to advancing genomic research through cutting-edge science and state-of-the-art high-throughput technologies. At the core of the CCG is a powerful infrastructure enabling a broad spectrum of applications, including high-throughput sequencing, gene mapping, and genome-wide association studies of complex diseases. Complementing this, the center provides advanced technologies and targeted validation methods to translate genetic discoveries into robust results. The CCG’s research spans key areas of modern genomics, including bioinformatics, genetic epidemiology, population genetics, forensic statistics, and ancient DNA research. A particular focus lies on complex genetics, especially epilepsy genetics, alongside epigenetics and the study of autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorders. Beyond its own research, the CCG serves as a central hub supporting projects across the medical and natural science faculties of the University of Cologne. It plays a vital role in major collaborative initiatives, contributing to Excellence Clusters and numerous Collaborative Research Centres (SFBs) through both technological expertise and scientific innovation. Since 2019, the CCG has been a founding member of the DFG-funded West German Genome Center (WGGC) and represents the largest sequencing platform within this network, underscoring its key position in Germany’s genomic research landscape.