Project 125: Study on Pathogenic Genes of Bipolar Disorder in Two-phase Family of Chinese Han Population with the Large Sample Using a Family Cohort Study and Study in MDD Animals

Contact Information:

Research Assistant Hongmei Liu

E-mail: meijiok@163.com

Project Description and Objectives:

Our research focuses on bipolar disorders (BD) and major depressive disorders (MDD). At present, there are few reports of foreign bipolar disorder families and the results are not consistent. There is no research report on the large sample family of Chinese Han population in China. Therefore, it is necessary to expand the family sample size and combine with new genetic research methods in the Han population. Thus, we intend to find out the pathogenic genes of bipolar disorder by collecting the two-phase family of Chinese Han population with the large sample using a family cohort study design, combined with the new generation of high-throughput sequencing technology and Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Proteomics, bioinformatics analysis, etc., which is expected to be clarified at the genetic level.

Another research project is about MDD, which is a serious chronic mental disease with high morbidity, high recurrence rate, high suicide rate and high disability. We intend to research the role of transcription factor Nr4a2 played in the mechanism of impaired working memory in the brain and to explore the effective intervention for cognitive dysfunction of depression disorders by adopting male C57BL/6 mice to establish the chronic unpredictable mild stress animal model of depression.

Eligibility Requirements:

If you know about Chinese society, culture, tradition and language, it would be preferred. It will help you grow faster and live a more interesting life during the training period in China. Simple Chinese is preferred, but not required.

Main Tasks:

Help to understand the mechanism of MDD and BD.

Close contact and observation of clinical patients of MDD and BD.

Understanding the process and operation of clinical research.

Learning the model preparation, research methods and research steps for animal research.

Website:

Lab: http://www.smhc.org.cn/yixue/shsjswsyjs/info_606.aspx?itemid=747&id=215

School: http://www.smhc.org.cn/index_en.aspx