Meet the Professor

André Uitterlinden

Complex Genetics: study design and genotyping techniques

Outline of topics

Genetic analysis of complex diseases such as osteoporosis, has made substantial progress through accomplishments of the Human Genome project and its sequela (dbSNP, HapMap), novel technological developments, changes in study designs and importantly collaborative efforts. The most recent ones are the combination of the Genome Wide Association (GWA) approach with formation of large consortia of investigators. This combined approach has been highly successful in several complex diseases including for osteoporosis for which several risk loci have now been identified. This workshop will address approaches, pitfalls and progress in identifying genetic markers for bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

Topics to be covered

• Study design and data analysis (collections, populations, consortia, meta-analysis)
• Genotyping techniques (single SNPs, Genome Wide Association analysis with high density SNP arrays), DNA handling
• Examples of gene polymorphisms: associations, clinical use, functional analysis

Educational goals

• Learn and understand principles of genetic analysis for complex traits
• Understand limitations of approaches
• Understand what approach should be taken to find risk genes for complex traits

Target Audience

This workshop is aimed at people at all levels: medical graduate students, basic researchers (PhD student, postdocs, staff), technicians, clinical investigators, practising clinicians.

Teaching methods

A brief overview of the field and the topics mentioned will be given, allowing much space for questions form the audience. The discussion will be informal and interactive by Socratic questioning.

Updated: 4-sep-07

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