A04

A04

An effective similarity integration multi-modal graph neural network method to facilitate disease gene prioritization

Project summary

We aim to develop a machine-learning approach that improves disease gene discovery by incorporating the similarity of genes and diseases into graph encoding. We hypothesize that utilizing a multi-modal graph neural network approach, a novel similarity concept for data integration, effective ways for rank refinement, and an adapted pre-training strategy can reveal novel genetic causes for human rare diseases. In a proof-of-principle study, we will make use of a large neurodevelopmental disorder patient cohort, as well as other pediatric genetic disease cohorts. Specifically, we will develop an end-to-end multi-modal graph neural network for disease gene prioritization. This model will be evaluated in the disease cohorts and novel candidate genes will be experimentally confirmed by cell and animal models.

Our methods

  • Combining knowledge- and data-driven modeling
  • Neural networks
  • Pre-training

Doctoral researcher position 1

(supervised by PI Backofen)

Tasks

Data collection & analysis, similarity definitions, graph encoding, pre-training, model development, and evaluation.

Requirements

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, mathematics, bioinformatics, or a related subject
  • Highly interested in research regarding machine learning and its applications in biomedicine
  • Knowledge of machine learning, bioinformatics, and/or medical informatics is a plus, but not essential
  • Good programming skills in Python

Doctoral researcher position 2

(supervised by PI Schmidts)

Tasks

Experimental generation of additional cell biology data, unbiased evaluation of model predictions, and functional workup of novel disease-associated genes. This includes cell biology workup including gene editing, transcriptomics, protein expression studies, and in-vivo validation in model systems.

Requirements

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in biology, biochemistry, pharmacy, or a related subject
  • Interest in data analysis and the fundamentals of machine learning

Administrative Manager

Marc Schumacher

Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics,
Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center –
University of Freiburg