The course is intended for researchers directly involved in the statistical analysis of complex traits and disorders, and will primarily address the methods and applications of genetic association and linkage studies. It will consist of general lectures followed by hands-on computer-based workshops. It is an intermediate level course and some knowledge of genetics and statistics is a prerequisite.

The topics covered are: Genetic epidemiology; Association studies; Data format, error checking, and quality control; HapMap data and other online resources; Linkage analysis; Special issues in Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS); Quantative Trait Locus analysis (QTL); GxG and GxE; Power analysis in genetic studies;  Analysis of Copy Number Variants (CNVs), Integrative genomic approaches for complex trait gene discovery, Sequence data and analysis of rare variants.

Marcella Devoto (Philadelphia, USA - Rome, Italy)

Lachlan Coin (London, UK)

Fabrice Danjou (Cagliari, Italy)

David Evans (Bristol, UK)

Mario Falchi (London, UK)

Paola Forabosco (Sassari, Italy)

Harald Göring (San Antonio, USA)

Claudia Specchia (Brescia, Italy)

Monday, June 21st

Morning session:

9:00: M.Devoto, Basics of genetic epidemiology

10:00: L. Coin, Basics of association studies

11:00: Coffee break

11:30: P. Forabosco, Workshop 1: Data format, error checking and quality control

13:00: Lunch break

Afternoon session:

14:00: D. Evans, Workshop 2: HapMap data and other online resources

15:30: Coffee break

16:00: C. Specchia, Workshop 3: Association studies (1): Candidate gene analysis

Tuesday, June 22nd

Morning session:

9:00: M. Devoto, Linkage analysis

10:00: D. Evans, Special issues in Genome Wide Association Studies

11:00: Coffee break

11:30: M. Devoto, Workshop 1: Linkage analysis

13:00: Lunch break

Afternoon session:

14:00: D. Evans, Workshop 2: Association studies (2): GWAS analysis

15:30: Coffee break

16:00: F. Danjou, Workshop 3: Association studies (3): GWAS results interpretation

Wednesday, June 23rd

Morning session:

9:00: H. Göring, Quantitative Trait Locus analysis

10:00: L. Coin, Analysis of Copy Number Variants

11:00: Coffee break

11:30: M. Falchi, Workshop 1: QTL analysis

13:00: Lunch break

Afternoon session:

14:00: L. Coin, Workshop 2: Copy Number Variants

15:30: Coffee break

16:00: P. Forabosco, Workshop 3: Power analysis in genetic studies

Thursday, June 24th

Morning session:

9:00: M. Falchi, Sequence data and analysis of rare variants

10:00: H. Göring, Integrative genomic approaches for complex trait gene discovery

11:00: Coffee break

11:30: Open session with questions from students

13:00: Lunch break

Departure after lunch