Population and Molecular Genetics Staff

 Matt Johnson

 
  BAppSc Grad Dip Biotech (PhD candidature) Having completed studies in a Bachelor of Applied Science (Biology) from CQU and a Postgraduate Diploma in Biotechnology from QUT I am approaching the completion of my PhD at Griffith University. The primary focus of my research has been investigating the molecular genetics of migraine headache and identification of particular genetic variations that may result in increased susceptibility to migraine. Utilisation of a high throughput DNA screening methodology known as DNA pooling has been applied to study genetic variations within the serotonergic gene family. Based on a pool of numerous individual DNA samples, DNA pooling is an effective assay limiting the time consuming analyses of genetic variants associated with individual DNA analysis. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genetic variants that have warranted individual DNA analysis (resulting from DNA pooling) have undergone real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. Real time PCR SNP genotyping of individual DNA samples also lessens time constraints associated with conventional individual genotyping. My other interests lie within statistical genetic analysis of unrelated populations that are required for genetic association studies. This interest extends to the study of genetic variations amongst differing ethnicities. In addition, I have been involved with the analysis of data resulting from a full genome scan for human essential hypertension. This analysis consisted of detecting linkage in a cohort of affected siblings suffering for this late onset disorder. Affected sib-pair (ASP) linkage analysis determines linkage by identifying significant deviations from the expected allele sharing ratios from the allele sharing ratios observed amongst affected siblings. Meeting presentations (to date) arising from current migraine and hypertension research; A total of two oral and ten poster presentations have been presented at both national and international peer reviewed scientific meetings. Future vision for DNA pooling research To use DNA pooling as an initial screening process, researchers can be more specific when further analysis of candidate genes is required. This can then reduce labour time and costs associated with performing individual DNA sample analysis. In today’s scientific community, efforts are continually trying to increase throughput and reduce cost associated with genetic analysis. In doing so, these efforts speed up the process in identifying genetic mechanisms of various disorders (e.g. migraine) and hence, a better understanding of susceptibly and causative factors.