New MRC funding to study genomic changes in schizophrenia brain

The Medical Research Council has funded us to continue our research into the genomic underpinnings of schizophrenia. The project will use cutting-edge methods to profile gene regulation (DNA modifications, histone modifications, gene expression, alternative splicing) in purified neuronal nuclei isolated from a unique collection of post-mortem brain samples.

Given the evidence for a neurodevelopmental component to the aetiology of schizophrenia, we will also annotate patterns of gene regulation across development of the human cortex, enabling us to explore the hypothesis that disease-associated loci are dynamically regulated during this critical period.

Building on our previous work exploring epigenomic variation in schizophrenia, our integrated-genomics project will explore the dynamic regulation of gene function during human brain development and its relevance to the aetiology of schizophrenia.

We’ll be looking for a postdoc and technician to work on this exciting project – so please keep an eye on our jobs page or get in touch directly with Jonathan Mill if you’re interested in joining our team!