Research Focus
The Translational Neurogenomics Laboratory is headed by Professor Eske Derks. The group currently consists of 10 members (two postdocs, four PhD students, a visiting scientist, a research assistant, and an undergraduate student).
The Translational Neurogenomics Laboratory has identified genetic risk factors for a range of neuropsychiatric conditions, including substance use disorders, schizophrenia, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Researchers in this group use genetic data to address questions such as:
- Which genetic variants in the DNA increase the risk of developing a neuropsychiatric disease?
- What is the genetic overlap across different psychiatric disorders?
- What are the downstream molecular consequences underlying statistical genetic associations?
- Which existing drugs may be repurposed for prevention and treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases?
Gallery
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Genetics of cannabis use
Functional genomics and tissue-specific gene regulation in the brain
Exploring genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of depression
Funding
- NHMRC Investigator Grant L1 (Eske Derks)
- NHMRC Investigator Grant EL1 (Jackson Thorp)
Publications
The genetic landscape of substance use disorders.
Gerring ZF, Thorp JG, Treur JL, Verweij KJH, Derks EM. Molecular Psychiatry. 2024 May 29.
doi: 10.1038/s41380-024-02547-z
PMID: 38811691
Identification of drug repurposing candidates for the treatment of anxiety: A genetic approach.
Woodward DJ, Thorp JG, Akosile W, Ong JS, Gamazon ER, Derks EM, Gerring ZF. Psychiatry Research. 2023 Aug; 326:115343.
doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115343
PMID: 37473490
The association between trauma exposure, polygenic risk and individual depression symptoms.
Thorp JG, Gerring ZF, Colodro-Conde L, Byrne EM, Medland SE, Middeldorp CM, Derks EM. Psychiatry Research. 2023 Mar; 321:115101.
doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115101
PMID: 36774750
Further Information
- Professor Dorret Boomsma, Free University Amsterdam
- Professor Jacqueline Vink, Radboud University, Nijmegen
- Dr Florence Vorspan, Universités Paris Descartes – Paris Diderot
- Professor Peter Visscher, University of Queensland
- Professor Naomi Wray, University of Queensland
- Professor Christel Middeldorp, University of Queensland
- Dr Lea Davis, Vanderbilt University
- Dr Eric Gamazon, Vanderbilt University
- Professor Wim van den Brink, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
- Professor Damiaan Denys, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
- Dr Dorien Nieman, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
- Dr Dirk Smit, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
- Professor Koos Zwinderman, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
- Professor Karien Stronks, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
- Dr Henrike Galenkamp, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam
