Professor Peter Visscher has been awarded a European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant for a research project into the dimensionality of the human genome.
Understanding human genetic variation is important, since this influences differences in disease risk, lifespan, and behaviour, and impacts how societies are organised. However, despite enormous advances in DNA sequencing technologies and the discovery of hundreds of thousands of DNA variants statistically associated with complex traits, we still have little information on which variants are causative, what traits they affect, and how they function. Professor Visscher’s project aims to quantify the full range of human traits influenced by genetics and pinpoint the specific DNA changes responsible for each one, by applying new statistical methods on data from millions of human genomes and thousands of traits.
Professor Visscher, who is Professor of Quantitative Genetics at Oxford Population Health and the Big Data Institute, said ‘I am truly privileged to receive this ERC award after moving to Oxford only two years ago. Oxford University has been world-leading in establishing a number of very large human biobanks for research purposes, and data from these are essential for my ERC-funded research. I look forward to working with outstanding researchers across disciplines and departments on the project.’
Professor Deirdre Hollingsworth, who is Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology in the Nuffield Department of Medicine and Big Data Institute, said ‘I am looking forward to addressing a problem which is at the edge of our understanding of the transmission of infectious diseases, but at the forefront of the individual and public health implications of these complex infections ─ in partnership with our fabulous team of researchers and collaborators.’
Professor Hollingsworth’s project will focus on understanding interactions between neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), malaria and other diseases. While these diseases often affect the same communities, their dynamics are usually studied independently, despite some evidence that they can interact with each other in ways that impact disease transmission and control.
Professor Hollingsworth will use advanced computer models and data analysis to map where these diseases overlap, study how they interact, and test how combining control efforts could improve health outcomes. The main goals are to better understand the fundamental biology of co-infections with NTDs, TB, malaria and HIV/AIDS, and help policy makers design better strategies to fight multiple diseases at once, ultimately improving the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
Professor Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council, said ‘Congratulations to the new grant winners! Much of this pioneering research will contribute to solving some of the most pressing challenges we face.’
Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, said ‘These ERC grants are our commitment to making Europe the world’s hub for excellent research. By supporting projects that have the potential to redefine whole fields, we are not just investing in science but in the future prosperity and resilience of our continent. In the next competition rounds, scientists moving to Europe will receive even greater support in setting up their labs and research teams here. This is part of our Choose Europe for Science initiative, designed to attract and retain the world’s top scientists.’
The BDI researchers' grants are two of seven awarded to researchers at the University of Oxford and two of 281 awarded to researchers around the world.