Genetic contributors to complex human traits: emphasis on neurological and cardiovascular-related diseases and the interplay between these two systems

Project aims: We aim to identify and better understand the genetic contributors underlying human diseases in order to better predict who will develop disease and how we can more effectively treat different clinical presentations.
Background/scientific rationale: Using large collections of genetic information from hundreds of thousands of individuals and comparing them to individuals that do not have disease can enable the association of disease with previously unknown genes and genomic regions. The identification of new genetic contributors can provide new targets for researchers to investigate in order to ultimately develop new treatment approaches. Our focus will be on cardiovascular-related and neurological diseases, two of the leading causes of death or disability as the population ages, as well as the interplay between these two biological systems.
Anticipated project duration: 36 months
Potential public health impact: As genetic data becomes more readily available in the clinic, it will be increasingly important to accurately predict disease risk to more accurately treat and follow patients that are predisposed for disease. By identifying new genes and biological mechanisms involved in disease onset or progression, this project has the potential to provide novel avenues for advancing knowledge on cardiovascular-related and neurological diseases, and to open up previously undiscovered treatment possibilities.