The Department of Genetics at the College of Life Sciences, Central South University, was founded by Academician Xia Jiahui in the 1970s.

The Department of Genetics is dedicated to discovering and elucidating the genetic foundations and pathogenic mechanisms of major human diseases, and converting its research findings into new clinical diagnostic and treatment methods. The department emphasizes the dissemination of knowledge in "Medical Genetics" and the cultivation of specialized talent, contributing to the advancement of genomic medicine and the improvement of human health outcomes.

Representative achievements include:

1. In China, we were the first to conduct the collection, preservation, utilization and database management of human genetic resources, establishing the only international database containing germplasm resources with abnormal karyotypes, which promoted the sharing of genetic resources in China.

2. As the world's first to precisely located the human testicular determining factor and cloned the hereditary deafness pathogenic gene GJB3. In 2010, we created a pathogenic gene identification technology system that is widely used internationally. We have conducted research on the pathological mechanism and new drug development of the GJB3 gene for deafness, and obtained pharmaceutical research achievements with independent intellectual property rights.

3. We have discovered and clarified the double-gene genetic pattern of Parkinson's disease.

4. We have established the most complete gene diagnosis platform in the world and have completed 1/4 of non-invasive prenatal diagnosis globally.

5. In China, we were the first to conduct clinical genetics training, training 80% of the clinical genetics professionals, and we have organized the establishment of a national prevention and control network for severe genetic diseases covering 28 provinces and municipalities. We initiated and established the Chinese Medical Doctor Association Medical Genetics Physician Branch.

6. We made original breakthroughs in the research of new gene vectors for gene therapy; the new method for treating severe hemophilia A with the gene was listed by the US FDA as one of the three candidate drugs for blood disorder gene therapy.