PGC-FG

Functional Genomics working group of the Psychiatric Genetics Consortium.

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

The PGC Functional Genomics workgroup serves as a dynamic hub for collaborative, open discovery science and scalable method development. We aim to understand how genes, cells and molecules impact the symptoms and course of psychiatric disorders in populations globally.

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

Ultimately, we:

🌟drive inclusive and diverse 'omics' mental health research,

🌟and foster a collective effort that transcends individual capabilities for global science🌎!

🧵3/3

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

So, who are the the Functional Genomics Working Group?

🎯Our goal is to understand how genes🧬, cells🦠and molecules💠contribute to psychiatric disorders🧠

We work with other PGC groups and different 'omics data (methylation, cytometry, single cell etc.) to do this🧪

🧵1/3

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

We have two awesome chairs ✨@HjerlingLeffler and @MLynall✨, who started the group in Fenruary 2024!

We also have 5 project groups, 🔬exploring different ways of understanding #FunctionalGenomics in psychiatric disorders🧠

🧵2/3

[PGC Consortium @PGCgenetics]

Before we get started, let’s introduce our two Social Media Reps - @BertholdNatasha and @Eva_C_Schulte!

We're here for the #functionalgenomics🧬, and #Science #Communication📡is a🔑key part!

💫Check out their profiles💫

[PGC Consortium @PGCgenetics]

✨Welcome to the Functional Genomics Takeover of the PGC main account!✨

For the next 2 weeks @BertholdNatasha and @Eva_C_Schulte will be taking you through the achievements and highlights of year 2 in the @pgc_fg.

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

Such a huge congratulations to the team🥳

Remember, you can find the full article here 🔗https://t.co/WVjNIczJ0v

#epigenetics #DNAmethylation

🧵6/6

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

Key Takeaways🔑:

✨EpiAnceR+ improves ancestry adjustment when genotyping data aren’t available

✨and is compatible with all major Illumina methylation arrays

🧵5/6

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

Results📊:

✨EpiAnceR+ improved on existing methods✨

Its ancestry PCs:

1⃣clustered repeated samples more tightly,

2⃣correlated more strongly with true genetic ancestry,

3⃣and outperformed methylation-based PCs and surrogate variables for ancestry correction

🧵4/6

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

✨Hello folks!✨

We're back in your feed with an amazing paper spotlight by Kira Höffler & colleagues📰🔦

"Optimizing genetic ancestry adjustment in DNA methylation studies: a comparative analysis of approaches"

🔗https://t.co/iHuJfSAb9h

Read our overview below!

🧵1/6

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

Methods🗒️:

To address this, the team developed EpiAnceR+🧑🏾‍💻,

an R-based tool for ancestry adjustment in DNA methylation studies🧬

Function:

1⃣removes technical and biological noise, integrates SNP-related data

2⃣and generates ancestry PCs for downstream analysis

🧵3/6

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

Background❓:

🧬Genetic ancestry can confound DNA methylation results

🧬When genotyping data aren’t available, existing ancestry-adjustment methods often:

1⃣perform suboptimally,

2⃣or aren’t compatible with newer methylation arrays

🧵2/6

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

Watch the video📽️attached to see what each of these awesome women are up to, and what being a #FeminSTEM means to each of them!

🧵3/3

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

Happy #InternationalWomensDay for 2025 folks! 🎉

We hope you had a great day, and thought we’d celebrate some of our awesome #FemsinSTEM with you all👩‍🔬

🧵1/3

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

The FG PGC is proud to have✨4 out of the 7✨leadership roles held by women.

These fearless fem leaders include @janitzamontalvo @hyejung_won @ShenXueyi and of course, our wonderful co-chair @MLynall

🧵2/3

[PGC Consortium @PGCgenetics]

To celebrate #InternationalWomensDay2025 @DrNiamhRyan and @JMK_Yang have been contacting some of the incredible #WomeninSTEM working in the PGC! Stay tuned as we hear about their research, goals and some of the women who have supported their journeys. #WomenSupportingWomen

[Jens Hjerling Leffler ⭐️⭐️🇺🇦⬜️🟥⬜️ @HjerlingLeffler]

Excited to share our latest paper from a collab w Patrick Sullivan and others where results from two different data-driven approaches (GWAS/human-snRNAseq and fMRI) converge on the amygdala and hippocampus as key regions for schizophrenia: https://t.co/R1Zd32vMmX 🧵

[PGC Africa @PGC_Africa]

Open Opportunity.......Hosted by @UniOslo this March, this free online, hands-on training on GWAS analysis is available to Ph.D students on a first come, first serve basis 😀 Register now 👇🏽https://t.co/BRU2t3nWf4

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

Full link here🔗https://t.co/ZHF8lmcYVX

Huge congrats to the team!!🥳

[PGC-FG @pgc_fg]

We're so excited for a #science paper ✨highlight✨!

@shuyang_Yao and @HjerlingLeffler et al. have performed an awesome investigation🕵️of how #genetics may functionally affect brain connectivity in psychiatric disorders🧠

Check out the summary video and find the🔗below!

[PGC Africa @PGC_Africa]

🚨 Countdown Alert! 🚨

📢 Less than 1 week to go until the 15th @AfSHG_Genetics & 1st Ugandan Society of Human Genetics and Bioinformatics Conference in beautiful Entebbe, Uganda 🇺🇬

💡 Check flyers below for a stellar lineup of workshops

#Genetics #AFSHG2025 #Africa