Lee M. Silver
Princeton University · Molecular Biology
Active 1950–2016
About
Lee M. Silver is a Professor of Molecular Biology and Public Affairs, Emeritus, at Princeton University. He is associated with the Department of Molecular Biology and has a distinguished career contributing to the fields of molecular biology and public policy. His work involves integrating scientific research with public affairs, emphasizing the societal implications of molecular biology advancements. Silver's expertise spans various research areas within molecular biology, and he is involved in teaching and mentoring within the department. His role includes engaging with associated programs, institutes, and initiatives that promote interdisciplinary research and education in molecular biology and related fields.
Research topics
- Biology
- Genetics
- Computational biology
- Evolutionary biology
- Molecular biology
Selected publications
Authors' Response to Wong <i>et al.</i>
Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers · 2016-08-01
articleSenior authorCorrespondingGenetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers · 2016-04-22 · 30 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingAIMS: DNA-based carrier screening is a standard component of donor eligibility protocols practiced by U.S. sperm banks. Applicants who test positive for carrying a recessive disease mutation are typically disqualified. The aim of our study was to examine the utility of a range of screening panels adopted by the industry and the effectiveness of the screening paradigm in reducing a future child's risk of inheriting disease. METHODS: A cohort of 27 donor applicants, who tested negative on an initial cystic fibrosis carrier test, was further screened with three expanded commercial carrier testing panels. These results were then compared to a systematic analysis of the applicants' DNA using next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. RESULTS: The carrier panels detected serious pediatric disease mutations in one, four, or six donor applicants. Because each panel screens distinct regions of the genome, no single donor was uniformly identified as carrier positive by all three panels. In contrast, systematic NGS analysis identified all donors as carriers of one or more mutations associated with severe monogenic pediatric disease. These included 30 variants classified as "pathogenic" based on clinical observation and 66 with a high likelihood of causing gene dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Despite tremendous advances in variant identification, understanding, and analysis, the vast majority of disease-causing mutation combinations remain undetected by commercial carrier screening panels, which cover a narrow, and often distinct, subset of genes and mutations. The biological reality is that all donors and recipients carry serious recessive disease mutations. This challenges the utility of any screening protocol that anchors donor eligibility to carrier status. A more effective approach to reducing recessive disease risk would consider joint comprehensive analysis of both donor and recipient disease mutations. This type of high-resolution recessive disease risk analysis is now available and affordable, but industry practice must be modified to incorporate its use.
Clinical utility of virtual progeny analytics in assessing reproductive disease risk
Fertility and Sterility · 2016-09-01
article2016-01-01
article1st authorCorrespondingA technique has been developed for stain- ing cytological preparations by indirect immunofluorescent methods that permits determination of the in situ distribu- tion of chromosomal proteins. The method is particularly ori- ented to the use of polytene chromosome squashes from Dro- sophila salivary glands. Control experiments indicate that the fixation methods used allow little or no extraction or re- arrangement of the chromosomal proteins. The results ob- tained demonstrate the specific in vivo chromosomal loca- tions of nonhistone proteins purified from isolated chroma- tin. The technique is apparently capable of resolution at the level of the chromomere or band, the unit of genetic organi- zation in Drosophila.
Figshare · 2015-01-01
articleOpen accessSenior author95 % Posterior (credible) intervals for Ď are plotted for each 1000 Genomes Project subject. Samples are colored and symbolized as in Fig. 5. (PDF 62 kb)
Figshare · 2015-01-01
articleOpen accessSenior author95 % Posterior (credible) intervals for Ď are plotted for each 1000 Genomes Project subject. Samples are colored and symbolized as in Fig. 5. (PDF 62 kb)
Wirres Erbe und die Absurdität des genetischen »Eigentums«
2015-02-09
book-chapter1st authorCorrespondingFigshare · 2015-01-01
articleOpen accessSenior authorPosterior carrier probabilities for each volunteer sample under a uniform (x-axis) and under Jeffreys (y-axis) prior. Samples are colored and symbolized as in Fig. 3. (PDF 151 kb)
Figshare · 2015-01-01
datasetOpen accessSenior authorHousekeeping genes used for 1000 Genomes Project samples. (XLSX 39 kb)
Figshare · 2015-01-01
datasetOpen accessSenior authorResults for all 1000 Genomes Project samples. (XLSX 266 kb)
Recent grants
NIH · $2.7M · 1995
NIH · $983k · 2002
NIH · $3.5M · 2005
NIH · $580k · 1994
Frequent coauthors
- 18 shared
Stephen H. Pilder
- 13 shared
Ari Silver
- 13 shared
Carlos Borroto
- 12 shared
Brett Spurrier
- 12 shared
Patricia Olds‐Clarke
- 11 shared
Sergei I. Agulnik
Princeton University
- 11 shared
Howard S. Fox
University of Nebraska Medical Center
- 10 shared
Ilya Ruvinsky
Northwestern University
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