Grant/Award News 2010
High throughput detection of epistasis in GWAS datasets:
July 2010
Dr Wenhua Wei has been awarded a £107,000 grant from the BBSRC Tools and Resources Development Fund for a 1.5 year project aiming to develop a novel tool for high throughput detection of gene-gene interactions (epistasis) in data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Such short term grants are designed to pump prime the next generation of tools, technologies and resources and to facilitate research data sharing.
The project entitled "Epicluster" is built on collaboration with Dr Attila Gyenesei in Finland. Analysis of epistasis in GWAS datasets is intractable due to excessive computing demand and the lack of algorithms to effectively handle billions of tests of marker combinations. Instead of directly testing billions of marker combinations, Epicluster will adapt a bi-clustering algorithm developed by Dr Gyenesei to select candidate markers potentially carrying epistasis signals and then perform comprehensive statistical tests among them. On completion Epicluster is expected to complete epistasis analysis in a few CPU hours for one trait and will be implemented as distributed software (i.e. automated analysis) to be used in high performance computer environments.
The project will be running within the Complex Trait Genetics Programme headed by Professor Chris Haley. Dr Colin Semple and Professor Chris Haley are co-investigators of the project. A new post will be recruited for the project.
Unit achieves 2nd place for the Annual MRC Health and Safety Poster Competition:
November 2010
The Annual MRC Health and Safety Poster Competition started in 2009 with the aim of raising awareness of H&S and encouraging MRC staff and students to take a fresh look at health and safety issues.
The first competition was about risk assessment and Craig submitted two concepts, one of which came third. This year the theme was personal safety – what employees and students expect the MRC to provide for their safety and what they think they can contribute themselves.
Craig again submitted 3 concepts and this time he achieved 2nd place for Concept 2 (eye protection).
A trophy and vouchers are presented to the winning team at an award ceremony held in Head Office. Vouchers are also awarded for 2nd and 3rd place, so well done Craig.
Links
- 2nd Place artwork (eye protection in the lab)
- design concept (hand protection in the lab) with laboratory help growing the bacteria on the blackberry handset from Bethan Medina
- design concept (general workplace protection)