n. 1 scholarship reserved for the research project
Transcriptomic response to acute dietary intervention in a human cohort
In this project transcriptomic profiles from peripheral blood mononuclear cells will be analyzed in conjunction with exome sequence from a human cohort following an acute dietary challenge of lipid or glucose. The goal of the project will be to identify 1) eQTL that significantly correlate with phenotypic status and response to intervention and 2) genotype*habitual diet interactions that are predictive of transcriptomic and blood biomarker response. The majority of the work will entail network analysis and statistical computing to analyze and interpret multiple high-throughput datasets, although emphasis will also be placed on building a strong biological understanding of phenotypic robustness with respect to diet and genetic background.
The project will be carried out at COSBI within the Systems Nutrition group (see http://www.cosbi.eu/index.php/research/systems-nutrition-research)
Preferred skills: Master’s degree in bioinformatics, biostatistics or molecular biology with emphasis on data analysis. Experience with multivariate statistical analysis, biological networks, R programming and/or human nutritional phenotypes.
Principal Investigator: Melissa Jayne Morine
n. 1 scholarship reserved for the research project
Genetic basis of response to chronic dietary intervention in a human cohort
This project entails analysis of genetic, proteomic, metabolomic and lifestyle data following a sustained micronutrient intervention in a pediatric cohort. The primary objectives will be to 1) identify genetic variants that are predictive of response to micronutrient intervention, where the primary outcome measures are blood micronutrient levels, and 2) analyze micronutrient profiles in conjunction with proteomic and lifestyle data (i.e., habitual diet and activity levels) in order to clarify the broader molecular system that defines micronutrient health, and the ways in which it may be programmed by genetic and environmental factors. The majority of the work will entail network analysis and statistical computing to analyze and interpret multiple high-throughput datasets, although emphasis will also be placed on building a strong biological understanding of micronutrient status with respect to diet and genetic background.
The project will be carried out at COSBI within the Systems Nutrition group (see http://www.cosbi.eu/index.php/research/systems-nutrition-research).
Preferred skills: Master’s degree in bioinformatics, biostatistics or molecular biology with emphasis on data analysis. Experience with multivariate statistical analysis, biological networks, R programming and/or human nutritional phenotypes.
Principal Investigator: Melissa Jayne Morine
The scholarships are funded by The Microsoft Research - University of Trento
Centre for Computational and Systems Biology (COSBI) and are reserved for the mentioned research projects. Further information and application procedures available at: http://www.unitn.it/en/ateneo/3068/announcement-selection
Deadline: 26 September 2013
