Sequencing small RNAs Underlying Epigenetic Regulation of Brain Gene Expression in Suicide
2018 Pilot Research Grant
Amount Awarded: $30,000
Focus Area: Genetic Studies
Yair Ben-Efraim, Ph.D.
Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel)
Inside the Research
Question: Does gene expression in the brain influence suicidal behavior?
Strategy: The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is a brain area associated with suicidal ideation and behavior. The functioning of genes, known as gene expression, in this brain area will be compared among four groups: people who died by suicide or by other causes, and both with and without depression. Two measures of gene expression, RNA sequencing (RNASeq) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), will used to measure gene expression.
Impact: Biomarkers specific to suicide risk for developing interventions.
Strategy: The ventromedial prefrontal cortex is a brain area associated with suicidal ideation and behavior. The functioning of genes, known as gene expression, in this brain area will be compared among four groups: people who died by suicide or by other causes, and both with and without depression. Two measures of gene expression, RNA sequencing (RNASeq) and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), will used to measure gene expression.
Impact: Biomarkers specific to suicide risk for developing interventions.