Complex Trait Genetics Lab

In the post-GWAS era the aim of genetic research has expanded to the identification of the actual genes underlying stable genetic contributions to various key traits of behavior, cognition and health. Identifying these genes is important as it may lead us to understand why some people are more prone to mental disorders and physical disease than others, and may help improve early diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease.

Research in our lab explores the genetic and environmental causes of individual differences in human traits related to behavior, cognition and mental and physical health. We integrate knowledge from different fields (biology, genetics, neuroimaging, bioinformatics) and use and develop statistical tools to analyze and understand GWAS data for complex traits. Currently our focus is on investigating functional gene networks important for cognitive and psychiatric traits.

Location

The Complex Trait Genetics (CTG) Lab is physically located at the Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Department of Functional Genomics of the VU University Amsterdam and is part of the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam. The lab has a formal collaboration with the Department of Clinical Genetics, Section Medical Genomics of the VU University Medical Centre and with the Department of Child Psychiatry of the Erasmus University Medical Centre Rotterdam.