Vacaturebank

Project opportunity: Unravel the genome with us!
Why we need skills and brains to be the first.

Background:
There is a vast explosion of available genetic information in large samples of hundred of patients. In addition to information on genotype that often consists of over 370,000 dichotomous variables per case, there is also information on gene expression (over 27,000 continuous variables). Recently, the Utrecht Neurogenetics group (a small rapidly growing group and part of the Medical Genetics in the University Medical Centre Groningen) is one of the first centres to obtain information on a third level of cellular control; Methylation. Methylation is thought to provide key modification of genotype and gene expression and now can be measured on a whole genome scale (27,000 continuous variables). As the first centre in the world looking at the relationships between these three levels of cellular control there is hughe opportunity to unravel important and highly relevant genetic mechanisms. However the potential number of relationships (2.7E14) between these variables constitutes a major challenge.

Project:
In a joint effort with the genetic computing cluster, the SARA Computing and Networking Services, Amsterdam and several Senior statisticians and bio-informaticists we are undertaking an effort to unravel the relation between genotype, gene-expression and methylation. For that purpose we consider brute force solutions as well as incorporating biological information or data-reduction tools such as latent class analysis and factor analysis. No prior knowledge on the underlying biology is required.

We offer several 6-12 months internships with excellent scientific and job opportunities. Projects can be adjusted to individual needs, interests and expertise.

Please do not hesitate to contact us:
Dr. M.P.M. Boks, MD, PhD.
University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands
PO Box 85500, 3508 GA Utrecht,
Tel: +31 88 7556370
Fax: +31 88 7555509
Email: mboks@umcutrecht.nl

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