B3768 - Epidemiological and genomic relationship and pleiotropic mechanisms across complex traits - 28/09/2021

B number: 
B3768
Principal applicant name: 
Hou-Feng Zheng | Westlake Univerisity (China)
Co-applicants: 
Title of project: 
Epidemiological and genomic relationship, and pleiotropic mechanisms across complex traits
Proposal summary: 

Evidence from epidemiological and twin studies has shown that some pairs of disorders, such as between brain disorders, often exhibited shared symptoms and comorbidity. However, there is a paucity of observational data on the correlation of other traits, especially for rheumatic diseases and musculoskeletal conditions. Additionally, it remains unknown whether the nature of co-occurrence of these diseases can contribute to potential etiological overlap or due to ascertainment bias and diagnostic misclassification. Recent advances in genetic methods, including the Mendelian randomization analyses, cross-trait meta-analysis, and transcriptome-wide association study, have enabled us to evaluate the degree of genetic overlap and to find the pleiotropic loci. Accordingly, by using data from the Avon longitudinal study of parents and children, we seek to systematically assess the correlation of different diseases, and how connected they on the genomic and environmental level.

Impact of research: 
The clinical use of genetic data
Date proposal received: 
Thursday, 19 August, 2021
Date proposal approved: 
Tuesday, 28 September, 2021
Keywords: 
Genetic epidemiology (including association studies and mendelian randomisation), Behaviour - e.g. antisocial behaviour, risk behaviour, etc., Bone disorders - arthritis, osteoporosis, Learning difficulty, Mental health, Obesity, Pain, Respiratory - asthma, Speech/language problem, Developmental disorders - autism, Chronic fatigue, Cognitive impairment, Congenital abnormalities, Diabetes, Eczema, Hypertension, Infection, Computer simulations/modelling/algorithms, DNA sequencing, Ageing, Birth outcomes, Environment - enviromental exposure, pollution, Fathers, Genetic epidemiology, Genetics, Genomics, Genome wide association study, Intelligence - memory, Linkage, Mendelian randomisation, Mothers - maternal age, menopause, obstetrics, Blood pressure, Metabolic - metabolism, Offspring, Sex differences, Sleep, Statistical methods, Twins, Whole genome sequencing, BMI, Bones (and joints), Cardiovascular, Cohort studies - attrition, bias, participant engagement, ethics, Childhood - childcare, childhood adversity, Dermatology, Endocrine - endocrine disrupters