Genetic complexity: the genetics of regulatory networks

3 Apr 2009

Dana Pe'er
Biological Sciences
Columbia University

Abstract

In this talk we will discuss a new perspective on the question "How does variation in genotype encode for phenotypic diversity?". Our premise is that much of the influence of genotype on phenotype is mediated by changes in the regulatory network and therefore will discuss how sequence variation perturbs the regulatory network and is manifested in complex traits. Two projects, both focused on 112 yeast segregants created at the Kruglyak lab, will be presented.

(1) We will demonstrate how biological modularity can be used to gain significant statistical power for linkage analysis of eQTLs (expression Quantitative Trait Loci). This approach provides us with a better global perspective and allows us to ask questions regarding the influence of genetic variation on cellular states and interactions between naturally occurring genetic variation.

(2) We have resistance to 97 drugs measured for these strains. We will discuss how both genotype and gene expression in the non-drugged conditions can be combined to quantitatively predict how each strain responds to each drug and identify the genetic variation responsible for differences in drug resistance.

current theory lunch schedule