Identifying causal risk factors and outcomes of atopic dermatitis

Rationale

Several traits such as cardiovascular disease[1] and mental health disorders[2] have been reported to be observationally associated with atopic dermatitis (AD). The most recent genome-wide association study for AD has also uncovered genetic correlations[3]. However, the causal relationships and direction of effect is yet to be determined. Establishing causality will aid the early detection of AD or later health outcomes and determine whether intervention on one condition will affect the other.

Aims & Objectives

To investigate causal risk factors and outcomes of AD using Mendelian Randomization (MR)

Methods

1. The literature will be screened to identify hypotheses for examination with MR.

2. Observational analysis will be performed using datasets available in-house such as the UK Biobank

3. Suitable datasets will be identified, and genetic instruments for AD and other traits will be refined

4. 2 sample MR analyses will be performed to investigate causal relationships

5. Sensitivity analyses will be performed to ensure the assumptions of the MR analyses have not been violated

How to apply for this project

This project will be based in Bristol Medical School - Population Health Sciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Bristol.

If you have secured your own sponsorship or can self-fund this PhD please visit our information page here for further information on the department of Population Health Science and how to apply.