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95740 - SOCIOGENOMICS

Academic Year 2021/2022

                
                        Docente:
                        Nicola Barban
                    
                        Credits:
                        10
                    
                        SSD:
                        SECS-S/04
                    
                        Language:
                        English
                    
                        Teaching Mode:
                        Traditional lectures
                        
                            Campus:
                            Bologna
                        
                            Corso:
                            Second cycle degree programme (LM) in
                            Statistical Sciences (cod. 9222)

                            Teaching resources on Virtuale

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student will gain an understanding of the most interesting and innovative research issues in the interdisciplinary field of genetics, population studies and related social sciences. In particular, the student will be able to interpret and apply key concepts of population genetics to understand how genes influence biosocial outcomes. The student will also be able to use molecular genetic data and apply modern statistical genetic techniques to understand how social environments moderate, amplify, or attenuate genetic influences on both medical and social outcomes.

Course contents

Fundamental Concepts and the Human Genome
Population structure and stratification
Heritability
Genome-Wide Association Studies
Polygenic Scores and Genetic Architecture
Mendelian Randomization and instrumental variables
Gene-Environment Interplay
Working with Genetic Data
Ethical Issues in Genomics Research
Case studies of social sciences and genetic research

Readings/Bibliography

Recommended readings:

M.C. Mills, N. Barban and F.C. Tropf (2020) An Introduction to Statistical Genetic Data Analysis. MIT Press
Selected readings (journal articles) will be distributed during the course

Other optional books:

D. Conley and J. Fletcher (2018) The Genome Factor. Princeton University Press
K. P. Harden (2021) Genetic Lottery. Princeton University Press

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures
For the practical sessions, students will be invited to bring their own laptops. Please discuss with the instructor if you need support.

Assessment methods

For students attending class regularly, the final evaluation will be composed by two parts:

Group or individual project/assignement (max 3 people). Instructions on the project will be distributed in class. (60% of the final grade)
Oral examination (40% of the final grade)

Students not attending class are invited to contact the instructor to discuss the examination.

Teaching tools

Software used:

RStudio and R
PLINK
GCTA
PRSice
LDpred
LDSC
MTAG

Office hours

See the website of Nicola Barban

SDGs

This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.