Professor Bryan Mowry, UQ: Genetic analyses of schizophrenia in Tamil Nadu, India
Speaker:
Professor Bryan Mowry
Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland
Title: Genetic analyses of schizophrenia in Tamil Nadu, India
Abstract:
Schizophrenia is highly polygenic. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), primarily in European datasets have begun to dissect the underlying genetic complexity, so far identifying over 100 schizophrenia-associated loci. Other major world populations also warrant intensive study. Our schizophrenia GWAS has been conducted in a sample of Tamil ancestry individuals from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This sample consists of schizophrenia families and unrelated cases and controls, and demonstrates characteristics that may be beneficial for genetic analysis. We observed a genome-wide significant association between schizophrenia and a chromosome 8q locus. European polygenic risk scores predicted schizophrenia in our Indian sample. We further investigated the regulatory effects of our top association signal, with bioinformatic analyses highlighting one gene for functional testing in Indian cell lines and in zebrafish. We are also conducting a whole exome study of Indian families, aiming to identify mutations; an update on progress in this study will be presented. Studying the genetics of schizophrenia in such populations should enrich our understanding of the global impact of this disorder. We further provide evidence for genome-wide sharing of common genetic variation for schizophrenia between Europe and India.
About Neuroscience Seminars
Neuroscience seminars at the QBI play a major role in the advancement of neuroscience in the Asia-Pacific region. The primary goal of these seminars is to promote excellence in neuroscience through the exchange of ideas, establishing new collaborations and augmenting partnerships already in place.
Seminars in the QBI Auditorium are held on Wednesdays at 12-1pm, which are sometimes simulcast on Zoom (with approval from the speaker). We also occassionally hold seminars from international speakers via Zoom. The days and times of these seminars will vary depending on the time zone of the speaker. Please see each seminar listed below for details.
