GENES & SEM WORKSHOP 2023

Genomic analysis of Single-variant Data using Structural Equation Modeling: GRM-SEM and GW-SEM

Registration is closed.

Workshop organisers: Beate St Pourcain (MPI for Psycholinguistics), Brad Verhulst (Texas A&M University)

The workshop will cover an introduction to structural equation modelling for single-variant genetic data from genotyping arrays studying population-based samples of unrelated individuals. We will focus on analysing (i) associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and latent traits using GW-SEM and (ii) modelling genomic trait covariance based on genetic relatedness matrices (GRMs) using GRM-SEM.

The course consists of three consecutive half-days, 13-15 June 2023 at 14.00-17.00 (CET) / 7.00-10.00 (Texas time). Each half-day will consist of a lecture and a related practical, including live talks, tutor demonstrations and hands-on excercises as well as ample opportunities to engage with the course tutors with live Q+A sessions. The content of the course, including presentations and materials for practicals, can be accessed online.

The workshop is free of charge.

Prerequisites

Some familiarity with R programming and some understanding of genetic mechanisms (undergraduate level) is strongly advised before attending the workshop. Practicals will involve tutor demonstrations, but participants will need their own desktop or laptop computer to connect to the workshop resources and run the code on their own.

Syllabus (preliminary)

13 June 2023

Talk 1: Introduction to SEM: Why do we need SEM?
Practical 1: Applied SEM

14 June 2023

Talk 2: CFA for single SNPs using GW-SEM
Practical 2: GW-SEM applications

15 June 2023

Talk 3: Genomic trait covariance analyses using GRM-SEM
Practical 3: GRM-SEM applications