Invitation
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Major Sponsors

Janssen-Cilag

Sponsor

Host Organisation

Schizophrenia Research Institute

Affiliated Organisations

SIRS

ICORS
 
 
 
 
Early Career Investigator Awards  
 

Genetics and Schizophrenia
Tuesday 21 September 2010

Invitation
The Australian Psychosis Research Network (APRN) in partnership with the Schizophrenia International Research Society (SIRS) invite you to attend a one day training workshop introducing basic genetic concepts, the promises and pitfalls of genetic research into schizophrenia, and a discussion of controversies at the cutting edge of this field.
Prof. Cyndi Shannon Weickert and Prof. Lynn DeLisi (Co-organisers)

Venue
Brain and Mind Research Institute
Building F, Level 5
94 Mallett Street
Camperdown

Speakers
The workshop will feature presentations from a number of Australian and international experts active in this field of research. The following speakers have been confirmed to date:

  • Prof. Lynn DeLisi, New York University
  • Prof. Cyndi Shannon Weickert, Schizophrenia Research Institute; University of New South Wales; Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute
  • Prof. Rhoshel Lenroot, University of New South Wales
  • Dr Murray Cairns, Schizophrenia Research Institute & University of Newcastle
  • Prof. Bryan Mowry, Queensland Brain Institute
  • Prof. Stan Catts, University of Queensland
  • Prof. Peter Schofield, Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute

Further speakers will be added upon confirmation.

Cost & Registration
Registration for the workshop should be done using the ASC 2010 registration process via this web site.

The cost per registrant is $100. Discounted rates of $75 will be offered for those also registering for the ASC 2010 meeting and $50 for students. Costs are inclusive of GST.

Please note there is a limit of 70 places available for this workshop. These will be allocated in the order of registrations received.

Purpose of Workshop
The purpose of the Satellite workshop is three-fold:

  1. To provide education and training regarding the terms and concepts used in the fast-paced and evolving field of molecular genetics.

  2. To allow for debate on the 'common variant common disease' model versus the 'rare variant common disease' model as it pertains to schizophrenia.

  3. To discuss ways genetic information can be used in schizophrenia research.

Prof. Lynn DeLisi will be fresh from the genetics debates she organised at the April 2010 SIRS meeting, so the workshop will cover the latest thoughts about the ‘common versus rare mutation’ debate happening in the field. The implications for these are important as if one or the other, or both, are true they will impact on how researchers collect and search for ‘causative’ genetic changes in schizophrenia. Rare variants may have major effects in individual families and thus these may be useful to screen for in family members. However, common variants are small risk factors and may have to be looked at in novel combinatorial ways to yield clinical utility.

Program Outline
The following is a draft program outline.

Tuesday 21 September 2010
8.30am Educational, Language of Modern Genetics: Definitions and Concepts (Workbook provided)
10.00am MORNING TEA
10.30am How do we find genes for schizophrenia? Linkage studies-association studies and how they differ
11.15am Introduction of the debate on rare versus common variations:
- Evidence of common variation
- Evidence of rare variation
12.30pm LUNCH
1.15pm Guided Debate:
- Strength and limitations of approaching schizophrenia genetics: common genetic changes versus rare genetic changes
2.00pm What are the research strategies to cut through the genetic complexity?
- Genetics and Imaging
- Genetics and Epidemiology
- Genetics and Gene Expression
3.00pm Wrap-up and CLOSE

Sponsorship
This workshop is supported by the Australian Psychosis Research Network (APRN). APRN was delegated the task of setting up a national structure to provide continuity of organisational support for the Australasian Schizophrenia Conference. APRN advocates for national strategic approaches to priority-driven research into schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Further information at www.aprn.net.au

Schizophrenia International Research Society
The ASC 2010 conference is proud to be affiliated with the Schizophrenia International Research Society, whose mission is to be a worldwide organization that aims to bring together researchers in schizophrenia and related disorders in order to:

  1. Exchange the latest advances in research and facilitate the application of these findings to clinical practice.
  2. Facilitate international communication and collaboration in research.
  3. Promote educational programs to effectively disseminate new research findings related to schizophrenia, both in the scientific community and the lay public.
  4. Encourage the publication of research.
  5. Increase the public understanding of the personal, familial, and societal impact of schizophrenia.
  6. Support increased research funding for schizophrenia research around the world.
  7. Promote the highest scientific and ethical standards in research and its application in clinical psychiatric practice.

Further information at www.schizophreniaresearchsociety.org/