People

The CoECDG brings together 10 PIs who are among the global leaders in complex disease genetics and statistical genetics. The CoE team will gain unique opportunities to advance research in their field within the CoECDG through developing and sharing very large-scale data, data processing pipelines, statistical analysis approaches and translation strategies.
Samuli Ripatti

Professor of Biometry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, FIMM Vice-director, CoECDG Director

Email: samuli.ripatti@helsinki.fi

Statistical and Translational Genetics

The Ripatti group studies genome-wide variation and its relation to complex traits and diseases, with a particular focus, but not limited to, on cardiovascular diseases and metabolism. We build on our understanding of genome-wide variation, Finnish genetically and epidemiologically well-profiled cohorts and knowledge and development of statistical and computational tools, and aim at identifying variants, genes and genetic loci modifying complex disease risks. We also study ways to translate the findings into potential intervention targets and comprehensive disease risk assessments.

Ripatti group webpage >>
TUHAT research portal >>

Tiinamaija Tuomi

MD, PhD, Docent, CoECDG Vice-director and research director, FIMM

Departmental chief physician, Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS)

Email: tiinamaija.tuomi@hus.fi

Genetic and metabolic characterization of diabetes – Botnia Study

The research of the Botnia Study Group aims at characterizing the genetic and environmental factors predisposing to diabetes and its complications. In addition to unraveling the complex interacting metabolic pathways, we hope to find tools for individualized prevention and treatment of diabetes. The Botnia Study is led by Prof. Leif Groop and Dr. Tiinamaija Tuomi.

Botnia Study >>
TUHAT research portal >>

 

Mark Daly

FIMM director, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, Chief at Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Deparment of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Institute Member, Co-director of the Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, CoECDG PI

Email: mark.daly@helsinki.fi

Mark's lab focuses on computational approaches to understanding the genetics of disease with a strategy of integrating powerful techniques from human and mouse genetics. The lab has extensive experience in linkage and association analysis and is now primarily focused on the creation of haplotype maps in humans and mice, the development of methods for design and interpretation of association studies using these maps, and the specific application of these approaches in major common disease areas such as diabetes, inflammatory/autoimmune and neuropsychiatric disease.

Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit >>
TUHAT research portal >>

Martti Färkkilä

Professor (gastroenterology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS), CoECDG Co-PI

Email: martti.farkkila@hus.fi

TUHAT research portal >>

Leif Groop

MD, PhD, Research director at FIMM, CoECDG PI

Email: leif.groop@med.lu.se

Genomics of type 2 diabetes and related disorders

The overall goal of our group is to halt the type 2 diabetes epidemic by finding a cure for this disease. To achieve this ambitious goal we need to understand genetic and non-genetic causes of type 2 diabetes. A key resource in these attempts is the Botnia Study.

Groop group webpage >>
Botnia Study >>
TUHAT research portal >>

Jaakko Kaprio

Academy Professor, CoECDG PI

Email: jaakko.kaprio@helsinki.fi

Genetic Epidemiology

The main aim of the Twin Studies is to investigate genetic and environmental determinants of common, complex diseases and their behavioural risk factors.

Kaprio group webpage >>
TUHAT research portal >>

Benjamin Neale

PhD, Assistant professor in the Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), Assistant professor in medicine at Harvard Medical School (HMS), and an associated researcher at the Broad Institute, CoECDG Co-PI

Email: neale@atgu.mgh.harvard.edu

Ben’s research and training focuses heavily on the development and application of statistical methodology with a focus on methods specifically for genetic analysis. Ben has a strong track record of conducting analyses for genetic data with a heavy focus on psychiatric illness, particularly ADHD and Autism, but also Tourette’s Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Schizophrenia and Eating Disorders.

Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit >>

Aarno Palotie

MD, PhD, Faculty member at the Center for Human Genome Research at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, CoECDG PI


Email: aarno.palotie@helsinki.fi

Genomics of Neorological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

The overall goal of our group is to improve understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying common diseases. Much of our work draws on the unique clinical and population-based samples collected from the Finnish founder population. One of the main focus areas is genetics of neurological, neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric traits.

Palotie group webpage >>
TUHAT research portal >>

Matti Pirinen

Academy Research Fellow at FIMM, Docent in Statistics at University of Helsinki, CoECDG PI

Email: matti.pirinen@helsinki.fi

Computational Genomics

Our work combines a thorough understanding of statistical modeling with real life experience on what works in practice. Our two main topics are multivariate models for quantitative / discrete / survival outcomes and population genetics in Finland.

Pirinen group webpage >>
TUHAT research portal >>

Elisabeth Widén

Docent, MD, PhD, Group leader at FIMM, CoECDG Co-PI


Email: elisabeth.widen@fimm.fi

Our work aims at promoting the clinical translation of recent genomic discoveries and broadening the understanding of the molecular underpinnings of complex traits and disease. One of the main focus areas is to develop and test new procedures for patients and clinicians to utilize genome-information in clinical practice to predict and prevent disease.

Widén group webpage >>
TUHAT research portal >>