Research Areas

Pharmacogenetics to personalize treatment for mental health

This cutting-edge research area is dedicated to uncovering the genetic elements that influence an individual's response to treatment, as well as their susceptibility to adverse side effects.

Through a comprehensive approach that integrates genetics, epigenetics, and transcriptomics on a genome-wide scale, this research seeks to accelerate our understanding of the intricate mechanisms governing drug response. By identifying novel drug targets within this expansive genetic landscape, the aim is to advance the development of new personalized medicine strategies for complex mental illnesses’ treatment.

What do we do?

• Conduct genetic assessment of individuals to identify genetic variations associated with their response to antidepressant and antipsychotic medications
• Investigate the genetic factors influencing susceptibility to adverse side effects, enhancing our ability to predict and manage potential medication-related complications
• Utilize cutting-edge techniques to integrate genetics, epigenetics, and gene expression data, offering a comprehensive view of the molecular mechanisms underlying drug response
• Perform genome-wide analyses across all chromosomes to uncover novel genes involved in medication response, providing insights into potential therapeutic avenues
• Develop personalized medicine approaches, tailoring mental health treatments based on an individual's genetic profile to optimize efficacy and minimize side effects
• Accelerate scientific understanding of the intricate causes of mental health disorders that will contribute to more effective treatments
• Open doors to innovative and more personalized approaches in mental health treatment, offering new hope for patients and practitioners

Principal Investigators: Drs. Vanessa Gonçalves, James Kennedy, Daniel Mueller, Arun Tiwari, Clement Zai, Gwyneth Zai

Genomic Strategies to Understand Mental Illnesses

We are dedicated to understanding the complex genetic foundations of a spectrum of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia, mood disorders, suicidality, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and addictions. Through advanced genomics research, we aim to pinpoint the specific genetic factors contributing to these disorders, shedding light on their origins and potential avenues for targeted treatments and interventions. This crucial work offers hope for more effective, personalized therapies and a deeper comprehension of the intricate genetic landscapes underlying these complex mental health disorders.

What do we do?

• Conduct in-depth genetic profiling to identify the specific genetic factors associated with a range of mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, mood disorders, suicidality, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, and addictions
• Investigate the genetic underpinnings of these disorders to shed light on their origins and contributing factors, enhancing our understanding of the complex nature of mental health conditions
• Utilize cutting-edge genomic research technologies to explore the genetic landscapes involved in these mental health conditions
• Strive to create personalized therapies that are tailored to the genetic profile of each patient, optimizing treatment outcomes and minimizing adverse effects

Principal Investigators: Drs. Vanessa Gonçalves, James Kennedy, Daniel Mueller, Arun Tiwari, Clement Zai, Gwyneth Zai

Mitochondrial Genes’ Role in Brain Bioenergetics

Mitochondria play a critical role in providing energy to all parts of our body. The brain is particularly demanding for high levels of energy in order to function properly. Our Mitochondrial Genetics cutting-edge research is a unique area that is bringing innovation and new perspectives that are impacting the field of brain-based disorders. Our research has the potential to revolutionize understanding of brain disorders, develop new medicines and change patients’ lives in the near future.

What do we do?

• Identify mitochondrial DNA variants associated with risk and symptomatology (biomarkers) across neuropsychiatric disorders
• Identify mitochondrial variants associated with drug response and medication side-effects (mito-pharmacogenetics)
• Validate the use of mitochondrial DNA fragments floating free in blood as a molecular diagnostic tool for earlier diagnosis and disease progress
• Develop cellular models using CRISPR/Cas technology to understand the effects of mitochondrial variants in patients’ cells
• Evaluate mitochondrial DNA epigenetics and epigenetic effects by examining  interactions with the chromosomal DNA  (biomarkers)
• Apply mitochondrial analytical workflow for all kinds of genetic data to be used in large scale genetic investigations

Principal Investigators: Drs. Vanessa Gonçalves and James Kennedy

Specialized Statistical Analyses of Disorders in Large Genetic Datasets

We have developed extensive expertise in the application of advanced statistical methodologies tailored to the analysis of large genetic datasets relevant to all neuropsychiatric disorders. This specialized area plays a pivotal role in uncovering hidden relationships that link clinical and molecular measures. We identify key genetic markers, and combine these with detailed assessments of patients’ symptoms to extract meaningful insights from the wealth of information available. By harnessing the power of statistics, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the genetic underpinnings of complex disorders, paving the way for more precise diagnostics, prediction of risk, personalized treatment strategies, and ultimately prevention of serious mental health disorders. 

What do we do? 

• Leverage extensive expertise in applying advanced statistical methodologies, including machine learning, to analyze large cohorts of thousands of patients 
• Uncover hidden relationships that connect clinical, molecular and genetic data, providing insights into the complex nature of neuropsychiatric disorders 
• Identify and isolate key genetic markers that are associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, enhancing our understanding of their genetic underpinnings 
• Combine genetics with detailed patient symptom assessments and lab results to establish meaningful findings contributing to a comprehensive view of the disorders 
• Utilize the power of statistics to deepen our understanding of the genetic factors contributing to complex disorders, driving progress in diagnostics and treatment 
• Strive to develop more precise diagnostic tools that can identify and characterize mental health disorders accurately 
• Work towards the prediction of risk for these disorders, allowing for early intervention and preventive strategies 
• Aim to create personalized treatment innovations that consider an individual's genetic profile, optimizing the effectiveness of interventions 
• Contribute to the ultimate goal of preventing serious mental health disorders by identifying genetic and clinical factors that will reveal high risk at an early stage

Principal Investigators: Drs. Vanessa Gonçalves, James Kennedy, Daniel Mueller, Arun Tiwari, Clement Zai, Gwyneth Zai 

Clinical trials to validate new pharmacogenetic tests and genetic biomarkers

After we have established significant results for genetic tests in groups of patients in whom we have already measured their genetics and clinical characteristics, it is then necessary to validate each genetic test in standardized controlled trials. These trials enroll new patients that are randomized and enrolled in either the genetic test group or the not-tested (control group) and they are followed over time into the future to measure whether the test works or not.

What do we do?

• Design and execute controlled trials that adhere to rigorous scientific standards to validate the effectiveness of genetic tests
• Continuously monitor and follow both groups over an extended period into the future to gather data and measure the outcomes
• Evaluate whether the genetic tests are effective in predicting or diagnosing specific conditions or traits, and assess their practical usefulness in clinical settings
• Analyze the trial data to determine the success and accuracy of the genetic tests, and report the findings to the scientific community and healthcare professionals
• Determine the real-world applicability of the genetic tests for improving patient care and treatment outcomes
• Contribute to evidence-based medical practice by confirming the reliability and effectiveness of genetic tests, potentially leading to their incorporation into clinical guidelines and standard healthcare practices

Principal Investigators: Drs. James Kennedy, Daniel Mueller, Arun Tiwari, Clement Zai, Gwyneth Zai