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Exposome and gene-environment interaction

Toekomst
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Psychology
English
6 ECTS

In this course students learn how to use large population-based information databases (e.g. neighbourhood characteristics, electronic patient files, cancer registration), in the study of human genetics.

Combining information available from publicly shared databases may generate new testable hypotheses, but also presents computational challenges (e.g. record linkage with careful attention to privacy / de-identification steps). To enable the student to perform gene by environment interaction analyses, we discuss what exactly the terms gene and environment relate to in this context, the many pitfalls related to gene by environment research, and state of the art methodology to detect the presence of these interactions.

Prof.dr. M. Bartels

Course Description

Genetic influences were long thought to be largely independent of the social world. This notion is now called into question as increasing evidence underscores the interplay between the genome and the environment. Within the field of behaviour and molecular genetics we are facing the next level of understanding how genetic sources of individual differences are amplified or dampened by environmental and social factors and, conversely, how genetic pathways modulate environmental effects and social interactions. Essential to understand this multiple layer interplay is an as complete as possible assessment of environmental and social exposure. Such a collection of assessments (an exposome) was first proposed by Wild in the field of cancer epidemiology and quickly expanded to other disease fields In this course the concept of an exposome will be explained in the context of complex traits. The study of gene by environment or gene by exposure interactions and dependencies does make stringent assumptions about the data used. These studies can also present ethical dilemmas as healthy records, employment records and genetics data are combined. Both the methodological aspects and ethical aspects will be discussed in the course.

Study Characteristics

  • Discipline: Psychology
  • Type of education: In class
  • Academic skill: Research | Discipline related
  • Graduate School: Graduate School of the Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences
  • Start date: TBD
  • End date: TBD
  • Minimum number of students: N/A
  • Maximum number of students: 30
  • Admission criteria: Contact the course coordinator for information on admission criteria: Prof. dr. M. Bartels, m.bartels@vu.nl
  • Concluding assessment: No
  • Assessment type: A final grade based on the average grade of separate assessments. More information on Canvas.
  • With Certificate: Yes 
  • Schedule info: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2019-2020/genes-in-behaviour-and-health/P_MEXPGEI
  • Number of lessons: N/A
  • Total course duration in hrs.: N/A
  • Sign up period: N/A
  • Anticipated hrs of study: N/A
  • Available to: PhD students VU (and VU RMA students)

  • Course Description & Study Characteristics

    Course Description

    Genetic influences were long thought to be largely independent of the social world. This notion is now called into question as increasing evidence underscores the interplay between the genome and the environment. Within the field of behaviour and molecular genetics we are facing the next level of understanding how genetic sources of individual differences are amplified or dampened by environmental and social factors and, conversely, how genetic pathways modulate environmental effects and social interactions. Essential to understand this multiple layer interplay is an as complete as possible assessment of environmental and social exposure. Such a collection of assessments (an exposome) was first proposed by Wild in the field of cancer epidemiology and quickly expanded to other disease fields In this course the concept of an exposome will be explained in the context of complex traits. The study of gene by environment or gene by exposure interactions and dependencies does make stringent assumptions about the data used. These studies can also present ethical dilemmas as healthy records, employment records and genetics data are combined. Both the methodological aspects and ethical aspects will be discussed in the course.

    Study Characteristics

    • Discipline: Psychology
    • Type of education: In class
    • Academic skill: Research | Discipline related
    • Graduate School: Graduate School of the Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Sciences
    • Start date: TBD
    • End date: TBD
    • Minimum number of students: N/A
    • Maximum number of students: 30
    • Admission criteria: Contact the course coordinator for information on admission criteria: Prof. dr. M. Bartels, m.bartels@vu.nl
    • Concluding assessment: No
    • Assessment type: A final grade based on the average grade of separate assessments. More information on Canvas.
    • With Certificate: Yes 
    • Schedule info: https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/Master/2019-2020/genes-in-behaviour-and-health/P_MEXPGEI
    • Number of lessons: N/A
    • Total course duration in hrs.: N/A
    • Sign up period: N/A
    • Anticipated hrs of study: N/A
    • Available to: PhD students VU (and VU RMA students)

Contact the course coordinator for registration

Prof. dr. M. Bartels

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