GENES & SEM WORKSHOP 2024

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

Registration is open between 25 June - 31 October 2024.

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, 11-13 November 2024 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 exercises, 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

Familiarity with R programming and some understanding of genetic mechanisms (undergraduate level) will ensure that you get the most out of the workshop. Practicals will involve both tutor demonstrations and hands-on exercises. Participants will need their own desktop or laptop computer to connect to the workshop resources and run the code on their own.

Syllabus (preliminary)

11 November 2024

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

12 November 2024

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

13 November 2024

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