Development of statistical methodology for detection and characterisation of genetic factors in complex disease. (360G-Wellcome-087436_Z_08_Z)

The aim of this project is to develop statistical genetic methodology for the detection and characterisation of genetic variants predisposing to complex traits (including both quantitative traits and disease phenotypes). Work will be focussed in the following four areas: 1. Model selection and data-mining methods for modelling the effects of multiple loci, and selecting those loci that are most likely to be causative 2. Imputation and haplotype-based approaches for detection and modelli ng the effects of untyped genetic variants 3. Modelling the effects of maternal genotype, maternal-foetal interactions and imprinting in genetic association studies 4. Correcting for correlations between related individuals in family-based association studies, in the presence of missing genotype data The key goals of the project will be to publish details of the methodology we develop in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals and, where appropriate, to produce and distribute co mputer software implementing the methods. These dual goals will allow other researchers to make use of the methods that we develop in their own genetic studies. A secondary goal will be to apply the methods developed to real data sets from studies of human complex being conducted by my collaborators.