Research Focus
At the Computational Neurogenomics Laboratory, we use genomics, neuroscience, epidemiology, and data science to explore the complexities of the human brain.
Our research investigates the biological factors influencing cognition, behaviour, brain structure, and the risk of neuropsychiatric diseases. By analysing natural DNA variations across populations, we aim to uncover the mechanisms that shape brain function and mental health.
To achieve this, we apply advanced statistical and computational methods, collaborate across disciplines, and analyse large-scale datasets from international consortia and biobanks. We aim to deepen our understanding of human behaviour, neuroanatomy, and brain disorders, paving the way for better treatments.
We study a wide range of conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, chronic pain, migraines, self-harm behaviours, depression, and sleep disorders.
Our team is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and improving human health by unlocking the brain’s secrets.
Gallery
Research Projects
Current Research Projects
The Australian Parkinson’s Disease Study: From GWAS to Treatment
Monogenic Parkinson’s Disease Australia Initiative (MonoPDAus Initiative): Towards a Precision Medicine Approach
Characterising the genetic architecture of polygenic conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, sleep apnoea, acne, self-harm behaviours, chronic pain, depression, and others
Research Team
Dr Luis García-Marín
Dr Natalia Ogonowski
Dr Santiago Diaz-Torres
Zuriel Ceja
Funding
- Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia
- Medical Research Future Fund, Australia
- IMPACT Philantropy Perpetual Ltd, Australia
- Shake It Up Australia Foundation, Australia
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, USA
- National Institute of Mental Health, USA
- American Parkinson’s Disease Association, USA
- Alzheimer’s Association, USA
Selected publications
Hibar DP*, Stein JL*, Rentería ME*, ... [256 coauthors], Thompson PM & Medland, SE (2015). Common genetic variants influence human subcortical brain structures. Nature, 520, 224-229. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature14101
Campos AI, García-Marín LM, Byrne EM, Martin NG, Cuéllar-Partida G & Rentería ME (2020). Insights into the aetiology of snoring from observational and genetic investigations in the U.K. Biobank. Nature Communications, 11[1], 817. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-020-14625-1
Campos AI, Thompson PM, Veltman DJ, ... [54 coauthors], Schmaal L & Rentería ME (2021). Brain correlates of suicide attempt in 18,925 participants across 18 international cohorts. Biological Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.03.015
Further Information
- Adrián I. Campos, PhD, UQ (2018-2021)
- Brittany L. Mitchell, PhD QUT (2018-2021)
- Dulari J. Lekamlage, PhD, QUT (2019-2022)
- Luis M. García-Marín, PhD, UQ (2021-2024)
- Asma M. Aman, Masters, LMU Munich (2021)
- Xóchitl Díaz-Téllez, BSc, UNAM Mexico (2023-2024)
- Adam Vogel, University of Melbourne
- Adrián Zegarra-Valdivia, Señor de Sipán University, Perú
- Alejandra Medina-Rivera, UNAM Mexico
- Alejandra Ruiz Contreras, UNAM Mexico
- Alexis Edwards, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Athula Sumathipala, IRD Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Carlos Cruz-Fuentes, National Psychiatry Institute, Mexico
- Dale Nyholt, Queensland University of Technology
- Gabriela Martinez-Levy, National Psychiatry Institute, Mexico
- George Mellick, Griffith University
- Ignacio Mata, Cleveland Clinic
- Jennifer Yokoyama, University of California San Francisco
- Jill Rabinowitz, Rutgers University
- Joyce Wang, Sun Yat-Sen University
- Kishore Kumar, Garvan Institute
- Lianne Schmaal, Orygen & University of Melbourne
- Michael Simpson, King's College London
- Neha Gandhi, Manipal Academy of Higher Education
- Paul Thompson, University of Southern California
- Sarael Alcauter, UNAM Mexico
- Xianjun Dong, Yale University
International Consortia:
