東京大学 大阪大学 大学院医学系研究科

2-Day Summer PRS Workshop: 31 August - 1 September 2024

FUKUTAKE Learning Theater, The University of Tokyo, Japan


Hands-on training with lectures and computer practicals on the atest methods, software tools and applications for polygenic risk score (PRS) analyses

Summary

The recent increase in large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) and genomic biobank data collections (e.g. Biobank Japan, UK Biobank, All Of Us) is providing unprecedented opportunities for in-depth understanding of the causes and prediction of human diseases. As genomic data from multi-ancestry population studies continues to grow, it is imperative that scientists are empowered with the skills to analyse these data using the latest tools and approaches for advancing research and genomics applications globally.

This short course will train scientists with computational tools and the latest approaches required to perform polygenic risk scores (PRS) analyses. The course will cover both theoretical and applied topics in PRS research and will be delivered across a variety of tutorials, lectures and computational practicals. The course will also involve many opportunities to discuss the topics with the tutors and with other workshop participants, and so this is also a great networking opportunity. 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 a brief overview of GWAS, 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 introducing and then investigating the critically important topic of the ‘PRS Portability Problem’, in which PRS are known to generalise less well between population of different ancestry. Workshop participants will learn how to address this using the latest PRS methods developed for application to diverse and admixed ancestry samples, including PRS-CSx and BridgePRS.

(download link of the poster)

Target Audience

Students and scientists based inside or outside of Japan 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.

Programme

The course will take place over 2 days and will include lectures, tutorials and computational practicals. There will be multiple opportunities to meet the training team in a 1:1 setting, and to interact with other attendees and the workshop team throughout the weekend, 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-based 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

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 (e.g. PRS-CSx, BridgePRS)
• Evaluate and interpret results generated from PRS analyses
• Customise visualisation of results from PRS analyses

Venue

The course will take place at FUKUTAKE Learning Theater, at the Hongo campus of the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Please note:

• This is an on-site course. No virtual online platform will be provided for remote participation.
• Participants are required to bring their own laptop.
• Participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation as the course office will not facilitate hotel arrangements.

Scientific Organising Committee

Course Directors

Training Team

Registration and Fees

How to apply

Registration for the course is now open. Please download and fill out the Registration Form, and then email it to prsworkshop2024@gmail.com.

Once received, the course office will provide you with the payment details for bank transfer*. Please allow several days to one week for the course office to confirm the payment. Your registration will be confirmed upon successful bank transfer, and the course office will notify you promptly.

Note: Registration fee is non-refundable.

*Any bank transfer fees incurred must be covered by the participant.

Fees

Deadline

The registration deadline is August 9th, 2024. As space at the venue is limited, registration will be closed once capacity is reached, so to secure a place at the workshop then please apply as soon as possible.

Contact

For any questions or issues about the course, please email us prsworkshop2024@gmail.com.