Genetic Epidemiology

Module code: MD7448

This module consists of two teaching weeks (Statistical Genetics and Statistical Genomics) introducing the basic genetics, statistical concepts and types of genomic data that underpin genetic epidemiology. 

The availability of genetic data for medical research and the integration of genomics in clinical practice makes genetic epidemiology an exciting and fast-moving field with many career opportunities spanning both methodological and applied fields.

In the first week, you will be introduced to the basic biology and genetics, and statistical and epidemiological concepts that underpin genetic epidemiology. 

Practical sessions will give you experience of running and interpreting a genetic association analysis including many thousands of genetic variants. Further fundamental concepts, such as those underpinning heritability analyses and causal inference ('Mendelian Randomisation') will be covered and theory put into practice through computer-based exercise. In the second week, you will be introduced to other types of 'omics' data, such as gene expression and epigenetic data, the statistical methods used to analyse them, and the ways in which these data types can be integrated to gain insight into disease mechanisms.