TODAY: Predicting the multi-omic Impact of GWAS Associations with Dr. Huckins

On By HGSS McGillIn otherLeave a comment

We are excited to be hosting Dr. Laura M. Huckins TODAY, Thursday, April 8, 2021, at 1 PM EDT. Don’t forget to register if you haven’t already! https://forms.gle/e4titjmtuEEQ7yj77

A bit more about Dr. Huckins’ research:
Abstract: The advent of large-scale, collaborative genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have yielded significant insights into the genetic architecture of complex traits, resulting in thousands of genome-wide significant loci associated with risk for hundreds of disorders. Now, researchers must move beyond this initial discovery stage to more fully understand the biological mechanisms underlying these traits and disorders. My research focuses on increasing our understanding of genetic regulation of higher order biology. Developing models and approaches to infer (for example) gene expression, histone modifications, and microbiome immediately and radically increases the power and impact of existing GWAS analyses, adding direction, tissue- and system-level resolution to genome- wide data. In this talk, I will describe our approach to predict genetically regulated gene expression (GREX) in human brain, and illustrate applications to elucidate aetiology of three psychiatric disorders; Schizophrenia, PTSD, and Anorexia Nervosa.

Associated papers:
Huckins, L. M. et al. Gene expression imputation across multiple brain regions provides insights into schizophrenia risk. Nature Genetics 51, 659–674 (2019).
Huckins, L. M. et al. Analysis of Genetically Regulated Gene Expression Identifies a Prefrontal PTSD Gene, SNRNP35, Specific to Military Cohorts. Cell Reports 31, 107716 (2020)
Johnson, J. S. et al. The Phenome-wide Consequences of Anorexia Nervosa Genes. Rev. (2021). MedRXivdoi:https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.02.12.21250941

HGSS’ new initiative: HGSS Talks – What I Wish I Knew in Grad School

On By HGSS McGillIn announcement, eventLeave a comment

HGSS is excited to present HGSS Talks! HGSS Talks is a new initiative to allow students to have an open dialogue about the various woes of graduate school. In these get-togethers, we will have a short presentation on a graduate school orientated topic and then have a guided discussion with the hopes of having an engaging dialogue amongst peers. With this, we hope to accomplish increased inclusiveness and sense of community within the Human Genetics Department. 

This week’s discussion will be on “Dealing with failed experiments and projects” on Thursday, January 21st starting at 4:30pm on Zoom. So grab yourself a cup of coffee or tea and log in to vent about all of the experiments that didn’t go as planned. Please check your email inbox for the Zoom meeting link.

Upcoming academic talk by Dr. Delgado Olguín

On By HGSS McGillIn announcement, eventLeave a comment

We are starting 2021 with an exciting talk by Dr. Delgado Olguín titled “Epigenetic Dysregulation of Cardiac Metabolism Initiates Myocardium Deterioration Leading to Heart Failure” on Thursday January 28, 202, at 1 PM EST via Zoom.

The Zoom link will only be sent to those who have registered. Check your email inbox or contact us to get the registration link.

Upcoming talk by Dr. Edward Harvey

On By HGSS McGillIn announcement, eventLeave a comment

Hosting another interesting talk in December! Dr Edward Harvey, Professor of Surgery at McGill University, Director of the Injury Repair and Rehabilitation program at the MUHC-RI and Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of MY01 will be joining us on Tuesday, December 8th, 2020, at 5 PM EST.

Check your email or contact us to get the registration link. The Zoom link will only be sent to those who have registered.