Prioritizing environmental modulators of genetic risk factors for complex traits

Complex traits and diseases can be influenced by both genetics and environment. However, given the large number of environmental stimuli and power challenges for gene-by-environment testing, it remains a critical challenge to identify and prioritize specific disease-relevant environmental exposures. In addition to new statistical methods, we develop combined experimental and computational frameworks for leveraging signals from transcriptional responses to environmental perturbations to identify disease-relevant perturbations that can modulate genetic risk for complex traits (e.g. Balliu et al 2021; AJHG) and inform the functions of genetic variants and genes associated with complex traits (Gloudemans, Balliu et al 2022; Genome Medicine).