Iiris Hovatta
Research program for molecular neurology
Haartmaninkatu 8
FIN-00290 Helsinki
Finland
iiris.hovatta [at] helsinki.fi
tel +358 9 191 25031
fax +358 9 471 71964
Research
Affiliations:
- Research Programs Unit, Molecular Neurology, Biomedicum-Helsinki, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki
- Department of Medical Genetics, Haartman Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki
- Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, University of Helsinki
- Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, National Institute for Health and Welfare
Our aim is to identify and characterize genes that regulate normal and pathological anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders. We are taking a cross-species approach to identify gene regulatory networks in experimental models and further studying their relevance for human phenotypes by genetic methods in human samples.
Our current projects include:
- Utilization of functional genomics methods to identify gene regulatory networks involved in the regulation of anxiety:
We are combining information from various genome-wide approaches (gene and miRNA expression profiling in refined brain regions, SNP genotypes etc.) across inbred strains and correlating this data with behavioral measures to understand genetic regulation of anxiety-like behavior. For this purpose we are utilizing massively parallel sequencing, including miRNA-seq and mRNA-seq (Juhila et al. PLoS one 2011).
- Functional studies of anxiety candidate genes:
We have shown by lentivirus-mediated gene transfer (over-expression and silencing by RNAi) that Glo1 and Gsr regulate anxiety-like behavior (Hovatta et al. Nature 2005). We are studying the function of these and other candidate genes by various pharmacological, genetic, neurobiological and cell biological methods.
- Genetic association analyses in the Finnish population-wide Health 2000 cohort:
This cohort includes about 300 individuals with an anxiety disorders and healthy matched controls. We have shown the involvement of several candidate genes in the predisposition to anxiety disorders in this cohort (Donner et al. 2008 and 2010, Sipilä et al. 2010).
- Utilization of genomic tools to study neurobiology of autism spectrum disorders:
We are currently studying specific autism susceptibility genes and their regulation. In addition, we use genomics in order to identify genetic networks that are perturbed in autism. This project is done in collaboration with Aarno Palotie at FIMM and Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute.
- Investigation of leukocyte telomere length as a marker for biological aging:
We have studied telomere length in several epidemiological cohorts and clinical samples to identify phenotypes associated with accelerated telomere shortening. The phenotypes range from psychiatric diseases to cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. We have shown that the number of childhood adverse life events, one of the most well known risk factors for psychiatric illness, correlates negatively with leukocyte telomere length at adult age (Kananen et al. PLoS one 2010).
Posters:
7th FENS Forum of European Neuroscience, Amsterdam 2010
EMBL Translating Behaviour, Heidelberg 2009 poster
Human Genome Meeting, Helsinki 2006 poster (2nd poster prize)
American Society for Human Genetics, San Diego 2007 poster
ESF Functional Genomics and Disease, Innsbruck 2008 poster (poster prize)
Links to our research:
Helsingin yliopisto Lääketieteellinen tiedekunta 8/2008 (in Finnish)
Deski: Periytyykö paniikkihäiriö 8/2007 (in Finnish)
Deski: Mistä ahdistuneisuushäiriöt johtuvat? 8/2007 (in Finnish)
Verkko-Husari 4/2007 (in Finnish)
We warmly thank for support from:
Page updated March 13, 2012
Webmaster Erika Weckström firstname.lastname [at] helsinki.fi