The “MuTHER” (“Multiple Tissue Human Expression Resource”) project is undertaking a coordinated program of analysis designed to understand the relationships between genome sequence variation, methylation status, mRNA expression and disease phenotypes. The project aims to develop a resource of detailed genetic (genome-wide association; resequence) and genomic (expression; methylation) data from a range of tissues collected from a set of ~1000 UK twins, as to support efforts to understand mechanisms involved in common trait susceptibility.
The specific aims of the MuTHER consortium are to:- Investigate the genetic control of gene expression across multiple tissues in terms of heritability and cis and trans regulation.
- Investigate the relationship between genotype, gene expression and complex traits focusing primarily on traits that are tissue-appropriate or are in the established interests of the principal investigators.
- Assess the contribution of methylation to variation in gene expression and complex traits and any interaction with genetic effects.
- Relate gene expression networks to regulatory mechanisms and phenotypes.
- Explore the contribution of environmental factors to variation in gene expression and methylation.