Genome biology
Genome biology is a cutting edge area of science that could help us understand why some people develop certain diseases and others don't.
Genome biology is about the relationships that connect a cell’s DNA codes (the genotype), the gene regulation, DNA repair, replication, and environmental signals (epigenetics and the microbiome) with development and disease.
In this area of research, we focus on:
- incorporating a spatio-temporal understanding of the 3-dimensional structure of DNA into our understanding of how genetic variation contributes to the development of polygenic diseases (e.g. obesity, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease)
- using mixed omics approaches to understand the complex interplay between you, your microbes and your environment.
Specific areas of investigation
The genome biology research group has widespread interests with work focussing on the genetics of co-morbidity between complex diseases, type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, cognition, drug dependence, and neural and musculoskeletal degenerative disorders.
We investigate risk prediction for complex disease, modification of the microbiome to address complex diseases, and the impact of environmental factors on the development of the microbiome in preterm infants.