Mapping the genetic architecture of polygenic disease, complex traits, and gene expression levels

The Amariuta Lab is happily accepting PhD rotation students. We have a variety of predefined projects but are also open to student-led projects and ideas that fall within the general scope of research in our lab. One potential rotation project involves the investigation of different ways to estimate gene expression heritability (e.g., the proportion of gene expression variance that can be explained by genetics), including using cutting edge fine-mapping algorithms and single cell RNA-sequencing data. A second potential project involves developing a new method to map the cell-type-specificity of the genetic component of gene expression regulation, which is often confounded by strong patterns of co-expression and co-regulation across genes and other cell types. A third potential project involves mapping the causal genes underlying putative causal tissues and cell types mapped via our previously published method called Tissue Co-regulation SCore regression (TCSC). A fourth potential project involves identifying putative causal tissues and cell types underlying the genetic correlation and hence pleiotropy of immune-mediated diseases. Lastly, we are also beginning to explore deep learning models to use sequence data to predict gene expression levels in novel ways and would welcome students who wish to gain skills in any of these areas.