GENES & SEM WORKSHOP 2026

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

Registration for 24-26 March 2026 is now closed.

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

This online 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 (i) the methodological components of structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis, (ii) analysing associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and latent traits using GW-SEM, and (iii) modelling genomic trait covariance based on genetic relatedness matrices (GRMs) using GRM-SEM.

The course consists of three consecutive half-days, 24-26 March 2026 at 13.00-17.00 (CET). Each half-day will consist of a lecture and a related practical, including live talks, tutor demonstrations and hands-on exercises, and 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 regression analyses, as well as an understanding of genetic and genomic mechanisms (undergraduate level) and matrix algebra (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 independently.

Syllabus

24 March 2026

• Talk 1: Methodological components of structural equation modelling and confirmatory factor analysis

• Practical 1: Applied SEM

   

Expected timetable Day 1:
13.00 – 13.15 Welcome and course overview
13.15 – 14.45 Lecture
14.45 – 15.00 Break
15.00 – 16.30 Practical
16.30 – 17.00 Q&A

25 March 2026

• Talk 2: Association analyses between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and latent traits using GW-SEM

• Practical 2: GW-SEM applications

   

Expected timetable Day 2:
13.00 – 13.15 Feedback Day 1
13.15 – 14.45 Lecture
14.45 – 15.00 Break
15.00 – 16.30 Practical
16.30 – 17.00 Q&A

26 March 2026

• Talk 3: Modelling genomic trait covariance as captured by genetic relatedness matrices (GRMs) using GRM-SEM

• Practical 3: GRM-SEM applications

   

Expected timetable Day 3:
13.00 – 13.15 Feedback Day 2
13.15 – 14.45 Lecture
14.45 – 15.00 Break
15.00 – 16.30 Practical
16.30 – 17.00 Q&A