PRBB Computational Genomics Seminars Naomi Wray

20/11/202512:00R_473.10_AULAPRBB Computational Genomics SeminarsNaomi WrayUniversity of Oxford"Investigating heterogeneity in major depression using genetics and omics"Abstract:Major depressive disorder (MDD) is recognised to be phenotypically heterogeneous, yet subtyping based on clinical features has remained elusive. I will review recent work in genetics and genomics of MDD. Briefly. genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have now discovered hundreds of associated variants, through combining phenotypically diverse data sets. Integration of GWAS results with single-cell RNAsequencing data infers cell-types and developmental stages where risk variants may play a functional role. Omics technologies are allowing new directions to explore standing hypotheses of MDD, including circadian misalignment and immune dysregulation. Heterogeneity of MDD objectively can be explored through antidepressant-usage defined by prescription records and this approach is being used to underpin a new research direction using cell-based assays.