About the Webinar:
Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of genetic variants that increase disease risk. Most of these variants map to non-coding regions of the genome, and interpreting the function of these noncoding variants presents significant challenges.
In this webinar on World Arthritis Day, explore how researchers at the University of Manchester use 3D genomics to help identify biological mechanisms affected by disease variants in autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis.
Key Takeaways:
- Multiomics datasets at unprecedented scale. Discover the most comprehensive dataset of chromatin conformation (Hi-C), gene expression (RNA-seq), and chromatin accessibility (ATAC-seq) from primary T cells to date! This data offers incredibly detailed insights into how GWAS variants influence gene regulation.
- From big data to big discoveries. Learn how researchers refined the mapping of GWAS loci to implicated regulatory elements, like CTCF binding sites and enhancer regions, leading to more accurate gene assignment.
- Unraveling the complexity of key genes. Despite the intronic positioning of GWAS variants relative to ACOXL, learn why BCL2L11 emerges as the probable causal gene within one RA locus. Additionally, explore mechanisms behind SESN3 dysregulation in another RA locus, and learn how these genes impact T cell development and maturation.
Meet the Speakers
Gisela Orozco, PhD
Centre of Excellence in Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, University of ManchesterProfessor Gisela Orozco is a Wellcome Senior Fellow in the Centre for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis at the University of Manchester. Her main research interest is the genetics of complex diseases, with a focus on using functional genomics to understand how genetic variants affect genes and biological mechanisms that drive disease.
Allyson Whittaker, PhD
Technical Support Manager, Arima GenomicsAllyson Whittaker earned her PhD from MIT, where she studied DNA replication and cell cycle regulation under the mentorship of Dr. Terry Orr-Weaver at the Whitehead Institute. She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in neuroscience with Dr. Paul Sternberg at Caltech. Following her transition into the biotech industry, Allyson spent eight years in drug discovery. In 2020, she brought her extensive background and expertise to Arima Genomics, where she leads the technical support team.