Omics Data and Population Health

Speaker: Jian Yang(Westlake University)

Date: June 8 Wed. 2:00pm

Venue: Lecture Hall 1417, Administration Building, Zijingang Campus

Abstract: Most traits and common diseases in humans are complex because they are influenced by many genetic factors as well as environmental factors. Deciphering the genetic architecture of complex traits is of crucial importance for human health and evolutionary biology. In this talk, I will show the use of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to model the genetic architecture of complex traits and common diseases. I will then demonstrate an analytical approach that integrates data from GWAS and large-scale genetic studies of molecular phenotypes (e.g. gene expression and DNA methylation) to predict putative causal genes and likely mechanisms underpinning complex trait variation. I will also talk about methods and analyses to detect signatures of natural selection that have shaped genetic variation for complex traits within and between populations.