Polygenic Risk Score Analysis - Africa

The boost in collections of African genomic datasets is providing opportunities for further in-depth understanding of the causes of human diseases. As African genomic data from genome-wide analytical studies continues to grow, it is imperative that African scientists are empowered with skills to analyse these data using the latest tools and approaches for advancing research and genomics applications in Africa and globally. 

This short course will equip scientists based in Africa with tools and approaches for polygenic risk scores (PRS) analysis. The course will cover both applied and theoretical topics in PRS research, delivered across a variety of lectures, tutorials, computational practicals and special guest seminars from experts in the field. By the end of the workshop, attendees should have an in-depth theoretical understanding and practical skills in PRS analysis of global populations. 

The course will begin with an overview of genome-wide association studies, an introduction to PRS analysis, advanced topics in PRS (e.g., pathway-based PRS, PRS*Environment interactions, PRS to identify rare variants). This will be followed by the key topic of the ‘PRS Portability Problem’ and how to address it using PRS methods developed for application to diverse and admixed ancestry samples. Finally, attendees will devise, perform and present their own research project as part of a group on a topic relevant to the content of the course, with feedback from the workshop team. 

Target audience

Students and scientists based in Africa interested in the theory and/or application of polygenic risk scores, important for those undertaking research in: Bioinformatics, Genetic Epidemiology, Population Genetics, Statistical Genetics, Clinical Genetics, Quantitative Genetics. 

The course will run over 5 days and will include lectures, tutorials, computational practicals and special guest seminars from experts in the field. There will be multiple opportunities to meet the training team on 1:1 setting, and to interact with other attendees and the workshop team throughout the week, helping to foster a supportive, collegiate and interactive environment to maximise learning for all.

Topics overview

• Overview of GWAS: GWAS basics and GWAS for PRS
• Introduction to PRS: calculating PRS, running PRS software, interpreting PRS results
• Advanced PRS topics: pathway PRS, PRS for G*E interaction, PRS to detect rare variants
• PRS in diverse ancestries: the PRS Portability Problem, PRS methods for addressing portability problems, PRS for diverse and admixed population samples
• PRS mini research project: Group project devised, performed and presented on a topic related to content from the week, performed in groups of 4-5 attendees. 

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the application of GWAS and PRS methods to understand disease aetiology and the interplay between genetics and the environment
• Explain the application of PRS in determination of complex disease genetic risk 
• Perform essential steps for PRS analysis using standard approaches and tools.
• Apply relevant tools and software to analyse complex global (diverse and admixed) population genomics datasets
• Evaluate and interpret results generated from PRS analyses
• Customise visualisation of results from PRS analyses

Prerequisites: We expect that attendees will have some prior background in GWAS (ideally having previously performed GWAS analyses or otherwise having a good understanding of the basics of GWAS) and that they will be well-experienced in performing computational genetics analyses and related software. The workshop is designed for students/scientists that are familiar with computational research rather than only wet lab or clinical studies.

Scientific Organising Committee

Segun Fatumo
MRC/UVRI and LSHTM, Uganda

Paul O'Reilly
Icahn School of Medicine, USA

Training Team

Marion Amujal
Makerere University, Uganda

Shakuntala Baichoo
University of Mauritius, Mauritius

Palwende Boua
Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Burkina Faso

Tinashe Chikowore
University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

Itunuoluwa Isewon
Covenant University, Nigeria

Conrad Iyegbe
Icahn School of Medicine, USA

Christopher Kintu
Makerere University, Uganda

Carene Ndong Sima
Stellenbosch University, South Africa 

Tsaone Tamuhla
University of Cape Town, South Africa

Lesedi Williams
University of Botswana

Organisers 

Martin Aslett
Wellcome Connecting Science - UK

Grace Kebirungi
Ace, Uganda

Isabela Malta
Wellcome Connecting Science - UK

Alice Matimba
Wellcome Connecting Science - UK

Mike Nsubuga
Ace, Uganda

Amy Pass
Wellcome Connecting Science - UK

Nicola Stevens 
Wellcome Connecting Science - UK

Guest Speakers

Abdel Abdellaoui
Amsterdam University Medical Centers

Eimear Kenny 
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai      

Target Audience

Students and scientists based in Africa interested in the theory and/or application of polygenic risk scores, important for those undertaking research in: Bioinformatics, Genetic Epidemiology, Population Genetics, Statistical Genetics, Clinical Genetics, Quantitative Genetics.

How to Apply
Please click the Apply button above to begin the online application process. Places are limited and will be awarded on merit. If you have any problems with the online application process, please contact us.

Please note: Applications must be supported by a recommendation from a scientific or clinical sponsor (e.g. supervisor, line manager or head of department). A request for a supporting statement will be sent to your nominated sponsor automatically during the application process. Applicants must ensure that their sponsor provides this supporting statement by the application deadline. Applications without a supporting statement cannot be considered.

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Cost
The course is subsidised by Wellcome Connecting Science and is free to attend.

Bursaries
A limited number of bursaries are available for each course. These are awarded on merit to cover travel, accommodation and sustenance.

Bursaries can be applied for as part of the course application form. Applicants will be notified of a bursary award along with their place on the course, usually within one month of the application deadline. The decision of the selection committee is final.

Please note that both the applicant and sponsor are required to provide a justification for the bursary as part of the application.