The sequencing of the human genome provides a 'post-genomic'framework to identify genetic and epigenetic variations and discover the role they play in human diseases, in particular complex diseases. We will investigate epigenetic phenomena using an integrated approach by combining knowledge from genomic sequences and population genetic variations. Studying the epigenetic patterns within the genome will provide valuable insight into our understanding of genome organization and function. Focused investigation of known imprinted regions may also reveal novel sequence signatures that may be involved in epigenetic modifications. The information gleaned from these investigations may lead to biologically grounded hypotheses of complex human diseases that are due to aberrant epigenetic changes. The majority of common human diseases affecting a large segment of our population, including cardiovascular, metabolic, and neurological disorders, as well as cancer among others, are complex in etiology and involve interaction of multiple genetic, cultural, and/or environmental factors, as well as epigenetic effects. The goal of the proposed research plan is to develop statistical and computational tools that integrate related knowledge from the quantitative and biological sciences to aid in the study of the genetic basis of common complex diseases. An integrated research paradigm that synthesizes analytical approaches from bioinformatics and genetic epidemiology as well as epigenetic models is likely to be a more powerful approach for understanding the etiological basis of complex diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
Type
Career Transition Award (K22)
Project #
5K22HG002915-05
Application #
7631478
Study Section
Ethical, Legal, Social Implications Review Committee (GNOM)
Program Officer
Good, Peter J
Project Start
2005-07-06
Project End
2012-05-31
Budget Start
2009-06-01
Budget End
2012-05-31
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$269,955
Indirect Cost
Name
Columbia University (N.Y.)
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
621889815
City
New York
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
10032
Hodges, Laura M; Fyer, Abby J; Weissman, Myrna M et al. (2014) Evidence for linkage and association of GABRB3 and GABRA5 to panic disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 39:2423-31
Deo, Anthony J; Huang, Yung-yu; Hodgkinson, Colin A et al. (2013) A large-scale candidate gene analysis of mood disorders: evidence of neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor and opioid receptor signaling dysfunction. Psychiatr Genet 23:47-55
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Fyer, Abby J; Costa, Ramiro; Haghighi, Fatemeh et al. (2012) Linkage analysis of alternative anxiety phenotypes in multiply affected panic disorder families. Psychiatr Genet 22:123-9
Xin, Yurong; O'Donnell, Anne H; Ge, Yongchao et al. (2011) Role of CpG context and content in evolutionary signatures of brain DNA methylation. Epigenetics 6:1308-18
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Xin, Yurong; Chanrion, Benjamin; Liu, Meng-Min et al. (2010) Genome-wide divergence of DNA methylation marks in cerebral and cerebellar cortices. PLoS One 5:e11357
Deo, Anthony J; Costa, Ramiro; DeLisi, Lynn E et al. (2010) A novel analytical framework for dissecting the genetic architecture of behavioral symptoms in neuropsychiatric disorders. PLoS One 5:e9714
Haghighi, F; Bach-Mizrachi, H; Huang, Y Y et al. (2008) Genetic architecture of the human tryptophan hydroxylase 2 Gene: existence of neural isoforms and relevance for major depression. Mol Psychiatry 13:813-20
Fyer, Abby J; Hamilton, Steven P; Durner, Martina et al. (2006) A third-pass genome scan in panic disorder: evidence for multiple susceptibility loci. Biol Psychiatry 60:388-401

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