Another awesome #neurogenomics seminar released on YouTube: catch @BrandonDLe's fantastic talk on wnt activity dependent molecular QTLs here 👇 https://t.co/tzxSen5IlY @UKDRI @ImperialBrains @ImperialMed

Excited to share our new preprint, where we investigated context-specific gene regulation and QTLs by stimulating 🪄⚡️ the Wnt pathway in human neural progenitor cells🧠 (co-led with two wonderful grad students @brandonDLe @jmvalone4 in @jsteinlab) https://t.co/CNDbm2tvnR 1/🧵

🧠Our paper describing common genetic effects on lithium-induced neural progenitor proliferation is out @BiologicalPsyc1!🧠 Many thanks to @JustinWolter8 @NanaMatoba @mikelaff @NilAygun8 @danliang_unc @Songlaboratory @JoePiven @MarkZylka and @jsteinlab! https://t.co/rqE4tH91Iq

Thanks to an awesome https://t.co/t6GzlkMazp team led by @jsteinlab and featuring Justin Wolter @NanaMatoba @mikelaff @NilAygun8 @danliang_unc Kenan Courtney @JoePiven and @MarkZylka ! 9/9

…or in fetal NPCs, genetic effects on lithium-sensitive GNL3 expression and in turn proliferation might influence neurodevelopment to affect complex brain traits like intelligence and neuropsychiatric disorder risk. 8/9

This work shows that GNL3 expression sensitizes NPCs to lithium’s proliferation-inducing effects and suggests that genetic variation tuning GNL3 expression in adult NPCs could modulate therapeutic responses to lithium treatment… 7/9

Manipulating GNL3 expression in hNPCs with CRISPR-dCas9-inhibition/activation showed that GNL3 is required to generate lithium’s full effects on proliferation. 6/9

Functional validation experiments identified GNL3 as the sole gene at this locus whose expression responded to lithium treatment; the lead GWAS SNP is also a brain tissue eQTL for GNL3 (GTEx). 5/9

A study-wide significant locus affecting proliferation in response to lithium colocalized with GWAS for bipolar disorder risk, and schizophrenia risk, and intelligence - suggesting shared genetic influences impact these cellular and complex brain traits. 4/9

…we cultured a diverse panel of donor-derived hNPCs, measured the number of actively dividing cells after lithium treatment, and performed a GWAS for proliferation as a cellular response phenotype. 3/9

People often take lithium for bipolar disorder, but it only works for some. Lithium’s therapeutic effects may depend on its ability to stimulate adult neural progenitor cell proliferation; does genetic variation tune these effects? To explore this… 2/9

In our new preprint, the Stein Lab discovered common genetic variation significantly associated with human neural progenitor cell’s (hNPCs) proliferative response to Lithium! https://t.co/KUu428f1iC 1/9

Check out research from the @jsteinlab this afternoon at #SfN21 from 3-4pm EST. Looking forward to discussing common human genetic variation modulating lithium-induced neural progenitor proliferation with the world!

I wrote a new piece for @UNC_SWAC about how the summer's hottest party drug owns your brain. But is it safe for children? Find out here:

Teachers shouldn’t be forced to buy their own supplies while our police departments purchase combat vehicles.

I am seriously all for no weapons, but this feels like a double standard. Remember rocket launcher guy in the Raleigh Subway (sandwiches) two weeks ago protesting masks and opening barber shops?

Here's another thing I wrote for @UNC_SWAC about GWAS feelings:

Valentine's Day associations...

I am thrilled to announce our 'BioBank Japan Lifestyle GWAS for dietary habits including alcohol, drinks, food consumption' is out on @NatureHumBehav !