Identification of genetic modifiers of onset age in frontotemporal lobar degeneration: a family-based integrative approach.

The aim of this PhD project is to identify genetic modifiers underlying the wide variation in onset age in frontotemporal lobar degeneration or FTLD. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) for onset age was identified in an extended Flanders-Belgian FTLD founder pedigree (DR8 family) segregating a causal mutation in the granulin gene. To identify the functional variation underlying the QTL, we apply a multi-omics approach combining whole genome sequencing with brain whole transcriptome and serum whole proteome analysis of members of the DR8 family.

Keywords:FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS, FRONTOTEMPORAL LOBAR DEGENERATION, GENETICS

Disciplines:Genetics, Systems biology, Molecular and cell biology, Neurosciences, Biological and physiological psychology, Cognitive science and intelligent systems, Developmental psychology and ageing