Lisa Schmunk

Supervisor: Dr Dirk Paul

Title: Functional investigation of genetic determinants of blood cell traits in cardiovascular disease

Abstract: Recent advances in genome-wide association studies have enabled the discovery of thousands of disease- and trait-associated genetic variants. However, translating variant consequences into clinically relevant interventions still critically depends on targeted experimental investigation.

My PhD research focuses on elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying genetic variation associated with cardiovascular disease and causal intermediate blood cell traits. I am combining computational integrative genomic analyses with state-of-the-art genome editing techniques in relevant cell types to discover the molecular events leading to organismal phenotypes. This will enable causally implicating novel genes and pathways in human complex diseases, ultimately offering new treatment options.