Genomic and epigenetic research of depression and schizophrenia.

Depression is estimated to be the second most disabling condition by 2020. More than 300 million people of all ages suffer from depression making it the leading cause of disability worldwide. Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the population, and is one of the leading causes of health burden in the world. The two mental disorders are influenced by heredity and environment. Genes can be regulated through the activity of several noncoding RNA transcripts that act as fine-tuners and on-off switches of gene expression patterns. Among the noncoding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been the most extensively studied. And human brain development is orchestrated by complex transcriptional programs, which are guided and reinforced by epigenetic modifications to DNA and histone proteins. DNA methylation is the most extensively studied epigenetic modification, having a key role in many important genomic regulatory processes. We aim to identify potential new molecular targets for antidepressant treatment and investigate epigenetic regulation of the earl-life environment.

Faculty Supervisor:

Turecki Gustavo

Student:

Partner:

The University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

McGill University

Program: