Epidemiology & Biostatistics // Biostatistics

Biostatistics: Next-generation Genetic Association Studies: Challenges and Opportunities

There are several challenges in the transition from single-marker tests on common SNPs in genome-wide association studies to set-based inference on all variants in a functional element, with genotypes called from second-generation sequencing data. Dan Nicolae will present a framework for the analysis of sequence data where we harness population genetics theory to provide prior information on effect sizes that allows a general and powerful test for association. He will also discuss some of the challenges in this transition, including: (i) the construction of sets; (ii) the implicit and explicit assumptions on underlying genetic models of risk for a given set; (iii) interactions with environment and ancestry; and (iv) the interpretation of results.

Event Information

Date & Time(s)

Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Speaker(s)

Dan Nicolae, PhD
Departments of Medicine, Statistics and Human Genetics
The University of Chicago

Audience

This program is open to all.

Location Information

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
307 East 63rd Street
Room 331
New York, NY 10065

analysis (uh-NA-lih-sis)

A process in which anything complex is separated into simple or less complex parts.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

biostatistics (BY-oh-stuh-TIS-tix)

The science of collecting and analyzing biologic or health data using statistical methods. Biostatistics may be used to help learn the possible causes of a cancer or how often a cancer occurs in a certain group of people. Also called biometrics and biometry.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

element (EH-leh-ment)

A basic part of a whole. In chemistry, refers to a simple substance that cannot be broken down into smaller parts or changed into another substance. The basic part of an element is an atom, which contains protons, neutrons, and electrons. All atoms of an element have the same number of protons. Examples of elements are hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and calcium.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

epidemiology (EH-pih-dee-mee-AH-loh-jee)

The study of the patterns, causes, and control of disease in groups of people.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetic (jeh-NEH-tik)

Inherited; having to do with information that is passed from parents to offspring through genes in sperm and egg cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetics (jeh-NEH-tix)

The study of genes and heredity. Heredity is the passing of genetic information and traits (such as eye color and an increased chance of getting a certain disease) from parents to offspring.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

medicine (MEH-dih-sin)

Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

will (wil)

A legal document in which a person states what is to be done with his or her property after death, who is to carry out the terms of the will, and who is to care for any minor children.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)