Genetics of platelet biogenesis and aggregation in humans and zebrafish, and relationship to cardiovascular disease

Time period:

1 July 2016 – 12 June 2019

Project leader:

Ci Song

Funder:

Swedish Research Council

Type of award:

Grant for positions or stipends

Total funding:

3,062,500 SEK

The overall aim is to understand platelet biogenesis, development and reactivity. The first two years of training will be in the host institute abroad, i.e., Framingham heart study (FHS), National Institutes of Health. I will work on two projects: 1) discovering novel genetic variants for platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet aggregation using whole-genome sequencing; 2) building a database for functional genomics of megakaryocytes and platelets, annotating putative causal genes and characterizing shared pathways among platelets traits and cardiovascular disease. In the third year, I will be working at the Swedish administrative institute, i.e., Uppsala University. I will further understand functional genes selected based on my work at FHS using CRISPR/Cas9-induced mutagenesis zebrafish models. The planned research has great potential impact on understanding the biological mechanisms of platelets and future therapeutic strategies. New anti-platelet therapeutic approaches are needed because of bleeding side effects. This work will benefit greatly from being conducted at FHS because researchers there focus on tackling cardiovascular disease research using multidisciplinary approaches and have access to large, cutting edge human datasets. I will gain deep knowledge of both human genomics and model organism systems by leading my own projects, in collaboration on other projects, and participating in on-site seminars, workshops, and lab externships..