Genetic Epidemiological Research and Data Analysis

 

In this course the participants will learn about the basic principles of genetic (epidemiological) research with a focus on family-based heritability and linkage studies as well as population-based candidate gene and genome-wide association studies. The relevant background of human genetics and statistics will be explained during interactive theoretical classes taught by experts.

The basics of human genetics will include concepts such as DNA, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and haplotypes. Lectures will include research-related issues such as the strengths and weaknesses of different study designs, the effect of population structure and population stratification, and multiple comparisons issues.

The theoretically acquired knowledge of human genetics and statistics will be applied in practical classes. Participants will familiarize themselves with study design issues (tagging strategies, power calculation) and the basic statistics that are necessary to analyze genetic data such as descriptive data analyses, Hardy-Weinberg and Linkage Disequilibrium testing, testing of genotype effects in different types of data, and learn about approaches to deal with the multiple testing issues. Common (freely available) statistical programs to perform genetic data analysis will be used, such as Mx, SOLAR, HaploView, MDR, PLINK, etc..

At the end of the course the participant will be able to interpret the findings of a wide range of genetic epidemiological study designs, and apply several basic forms of genetic data analysis. 

Study load

1.5 ECTS credit points

 

Calendar

May 7 - 12, 2012 (09:00-14:30 hrs)

 

Registration

Ms. M.H. (Maaike) Bansema (m.h.bansema@umcg.nl)

Phone: +31 50 363 8409

 

Coordinator

prof. H.M. (Marike) Boezen

 

Additional information

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