Project H
Genetic studies on complex intestinal imflammatory diseases
Co-ordinator: Prof. Dr. C. Wijmenga (c.wijmenga@umcutrecht.nl, c.wijmenga@medgen.rug.nl)
The research at the Department of Genetics UMCG is focussed on the identification and characterization of genes for hereditary disorder. More recently, the research has expanded to the identification of genes for complex traits, in particular intestinal inflammatory disorders such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and celiac disease. The laboratory is well equipped to perform genetic association studies. Our approach includes both genome-wide and candidate gene studies.
Students that will join the lab for a short period of time will participate in the ongoing research projects. We will always try to arrange a small project dealing with studying one or a few candidate gees for their involvement of disease. In practice this means performing PCR reactions to test genetic variants residing in a candidate gene, followed by analysis of the data. It is also possible that the student gets involved in a project which aims at sequencing a candidate gene in order to find disease-causing mutations. In that case we will select a (part of) a gene, have the student perform the sequencing reactions followed by data analysis and interpretation of the findings. As the field we are in is extremely dynamic it is well possible that the scope will change during the course of the year; in that case we will adjust the design of the student projects as well.
Students will also participate in ongoing work discussions, seminars, and journal clubs. In this way they also get an overview of what happens in the Genetics department.
The complex genetics research group currently consists of 2 postdocs, 3 PhD students, 1 MD/PhD student and 3 technicians. Many of them are from outside the Netherlands so the daily language is English. We are a very enthusiastic and young group. The students participating in the ISCOMS practical training program will be supervised by either a postoc or PhD student.
