Bipolar & Genetics

Melvin McInnis, MD, FRCPsych, is the Thomas B and Nancy Upjohn Woodworth Professor of Bipolar Disorder and Depression, Professor of Psychiatry with the Department of Psychiatry and Depression Center at the University of Michigan. Dr. McInnis is an established and internationally renowned researcher in the genetics of bipolar disorder. He has published widely in the field and is an active participant in one of the largest and longest standings collaborations in BP disorder that began as the NIMH Genetics Initiative for Bipolar Disorder. This endeavor (known colloquially as the "G11") now consists of a collaboration between 11 universities within the USA and is dedicated to the genetics of BP disorder. Dr. McInnis' involvement began as a fellow genetics in 1989, at the time the collaboration between the 4 founding sites. Dr. McInnis has a relatively rare combination of research and clinical experience. He has extensive laboratory leadership experience in a molecular genetics laboratory as well as experience in genetic analyses and bioinformatics, and a published record of these accomplishments. His professed strength and depth is in the clinical arena and is a recognized expert in assessment and management of patients with complex mood disorders. His collaborative nature is reflected in the enduring collaborations that he has within the G11 group, as well as establishing collaborations locally with Wayne State U. He has established strong relationships within the University of Michigan with experts in molecular genetics (Margit Burmeister) and within the Department of Biostatistics. There are active interactions and collaborations between the McInnis group with the Health Services Section within the Dept of Psychiatry focused on bipolar disorder.