Gonçalo R. Abecasis, D.Phil.

Research

The focus of my research is the identification and characterization of genes determining human variation and disease. In particular, I have focused on developing analytical methods and statistical tools that will facilitate the mapping of complex traits and allow geneticists to realize the benefits of new high-throughput technologies in the lab. Much of my research has focused on the use of linkage disequilibrium in the mapping of complex disease susceptibility genes. Linkage disequilibrium based mapping strategies search for short segments of ancestral chromosomes shared among present day individuals. High-throughput technologies allow fine-scale characterization of genetic variation and have made these searches possible.