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Approved research

Multi-omics integrative studies of common psychiatric disorders and skeletal disorders

Principal Investigator: Professor Feng Zhang
Approved Research ID: 46478
Approval date: February 13th 2019

Lay summary

Previous studies have demonstrated that gene variations could affect the risks of common psychiatric disorders (such as major depression and anxiety) and skeletal disorders (such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis). The genetic basis of common psychiatric disorders and skeletal disorders is unclear now. Recent genetic studies demonstrated that a large part of disease associated chromosomal loci were not within known gene, but in chromosomal regulatory regions. These chromosomal regulatory regions do not produce proteins, but can affect the express levels of target proteins. Therefore, joint analysis of chromosomal regulatory region information and multiple molecular level omic data (such as DNA, RNA and protein) can provide insight into the genetic basis of common psychiatric disorders and skeletal disorders. The aim of this study is to explore the biological mechanism of common psychiatric disorders and skeletal disorders, utilizing multiple molecular level omic data (such as DNA, RNA and protein) as well as latest chromosomal regulatory region information. We will identify novel genes related to common psychiatric disorders and skeletal disorders, providing novel useful information for the studies of common psychiatric disorders and skeletal disorders.