NHGRI logo

Webinar Series: Complex Trait Genetics

Event Details

Synopsis

A major goal of genetics and genomics is to decompose the sources of trait variation into constituent causal factors. The hope is to better understand both the evolutionary forces that have shaped the number, frequency, and interactions of alleles influencing traits, and to identify potential levers of intervention to better predict or target those traits. Although the foundation of quantitative genetics was laid over a century ago, there continue to be disagreements, both philosophical and empirical, about how to identify and interpret the interplay of genetic and non-genetic factors in trait variation. Following on the heels of NHGRI’s workshop “Advances in the Genetic Architecture of Complex Human Traits” is a seminar series picking up where the workshop left off to further explore recent progress and outstanding challenges for delineating and understanding human complex trait genetics.

 

Format

A series of one-hour live webinars dedicated to a specific topic in quantitative, statistical, or population genetics. Each seminar will be followed by a virtual Q&A. Seminars will occur every two months for twelve months in FY25 starting in late Fall 2024.

Zoom Webinar (Registration Required)

Video Recordings

Upcoming Webinars

Webinar #1: Re-analysis of Variance and Re-analysis of Causes

October 23, 2024  12:00 - 1:00 PM ET

NHGRI presents the first in a series of webinars exploring the latest advances in complex trait genetics. 

This inaugural webinar is a 50th anniversary retrospective of Richard Lewontin’s 1974 paper The Analysis of Variance and Analysis of Causes that critiques causal inferences drawn from variance decomposition methods and how that paper has stood the test of time. 

 

Rasmus Winther

 

Presented by Rasmus Winther, Ph.D., a philosopher of science, researcher, writer, educator, diver, and explorer. He is currently Professor of Humanities at University of California, Santa Cruz, and Affiliate Professor of Transformative Science in the GeoGenetics Section of Globe Institute at University of Copenhagen. His latest book, Our Genes, is a philosophical perspective on human evolutionary genomics. 

Moderated by Alexander Arguello, Ph.D.. Program Director, Division of Genome Sciences, NHGRI.

Contacts

Alexander Arguello
Alexander Arguello, Ph.D.
  • Program Director
  • Division of Genome Sciences
Ismail Safi
Ismail Safi, Pharm.D.
  • Program Specialist
  • Division of Genome Sciences
Jake Baroch
Jake Baroch, B.S.
  • Scientific Program Analyst
  • Division of Genome Sciences

Last updated: October 16, 2024