Marie Zechner

Thesis title: Combining genetic and functional genomic data to reveal underlying mechanisms of human disease

Qualifications

2017-2018: Masters by Research – MScR, Integrative Neuroscience (The University of Edinburgh)

2016-2018: MSc, Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedical Sciences (Graz University of Technology) 

2012-2016: BSc, Molecular Biology (Graz University of Technology) 

Research summary

The main focus of this PhD project is to investigate the genetics of Covid-19. In particular, I am interested in genetic correlations with other diseases affecting the immune system and the potential of disease-relevant genes shared between them. As pleiotropy – whereby a genetic variant influences multiple traits – is widespread in the genome, genetic variants that change the outcome of certain diseases may already have been discovered, but so far only associated with different disease phenotypes. The aim is to utilize these genetic correlations to better understand the pathophysiology of Covid-19 and pinpoint possible avenues for treatment. 

Past research interests

Master's thesis: "Parvalbumin Interneuron Regulation of Skilled Movement"