Research Focus
The Complex Trait Genomics group investigates the genetic and biological basis of neuropsychiatric disorders. By analysing large-scale genomic, clinical, and epidemiological data, the team seeks to uncover the risk factors and biological pathways that explain why some people are more vulnerable to illness, why symptoms differ between individuals, and why treatment response varies.
Through advanced statistical genetics, computational biology, and large-scale international collaboration, the group investigates the genetic architecture of conditions such as depression, anxiety, and migraine across diverse populations. We leverage genome-wide analyses, polygenic risk prediction, causal inference approaches, and integrative genomic methods to identify biological mechanisms and clarify pathways underlying disease risk. Ultimately, our goal is to translate genomic discovery into meaningful clinical insight by enabling earlier identification of vulnerability, improved risk stratification, and more precise, evidence-based approaches to prevention and treatment.
Gallery
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
Genetics of Depression
Exploring sex-differences in mental health disorders
Genetics of Anxiety Disorders
Funding
- Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Emerging Leadership Fellow (Level 1)
- Australian Skin and Skin Cancer Research Centre Early Career Researcher Grant
- L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship
- MRFF Genomics Health Futures Mission
- NHMRC Centre Of Research Excellence in Depression Treatment Precision
Publications
Thomas J.T., Thorp J.G., Huider F., Grimes P.Z., Wang R., Youssef P., Coleman J.R.I, Burne E.M., Adams M., BIONIC consortium, The GLAD Study, Medland S.E., Hickie I.B., Olsen C.M., Whiteman D.C., Whalley H.C., Penninx B.W.J.H., van Loo H.M., Derks E.M., Eley T.C., Breen G., Boomsma D.I., Wray N., Martin N.G., Mitchell B.L. (2025). Sex-stratified genome-wide association meta-analysis of major depressive disorder. Nature Communications. DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-63236-1
Mitchell B.L.*, Monistrol-Mula A.*, Thomas J.T., Byrne E.M. (2026). The role of genetic data in dissecting depression heterogeneity. Biological Psychiatry. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2025.10.029. * = shared first authors.
Monistrol-Mula A, Diaz-Torres S, Felez-Nobrega M, Haro JM, Medland SE, Mitchell BL. Genetic analyses point to alterations in immune-related pathways underpinning the association between psychiatric disorders and COVID-19. Mol Psychiatry. 2025 Jan;30(1):29-36. doi: 10.1038/s41380-024-02643-0. Epub 2024 Jul 3. PMID: 38956374.
