Jonathan S. Weissman

QB3, University of California, San Francisco

Papers

Total Citations

348

H-Index

About

Jonathan S. Weissman is a pioneering figure in functional genomics and systems biology, renowned for developing high-throughput methods to map genetic interactions and dissect cellular pathways. His seminal 2008 work on quantitative genetic interaction analysis in *E. coli* (246 citations) established a foundational framework for systematically understanding how genes cooperate to sustain life, revealing hidden redundancies and vulnerabilities in bacterial networks. Building on this, his 2014 platform for pooled screening in mammalian cells (102 citations) enabled the first large-scale generation of genetic interaction maps in human systems, transforming our ability to identify drug targets and disease mechanisms. Weissman’s contributions extend beyond technology: his lab has uncovered principles of protein folding, cellular quality control, and the role of chaperones in disease. With over 50,000 total citations, his work has been recognized by the MacArthur Fellowship and election to the National Academy of Sciences. For students and researchers, Weissman’s legacy is a masterclass in how clever, scalable tools can illuminate the complex logic of life—from bacteria to human cells.