Prof. Dr. Dr. Eva-Christina Schulte

We focus on the genetics of psychiatric disorders in clinical care and basic research. For many years, we have participated in international consortia to identify genetic risk factors for common, complex genetic diseases (e.g. Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, COVID-19 HGI). These have successfully established diverse genetic risk factors for many complex neuropsychiatric disorders. What is lacking, however, is an understanding of how these genetic risk factors lead to mental health disorders. In our work, we seek to bridge this gap between the identification of genetic risk factors and their pathophysiologic consequences. To do so, methodologically, we use statistical genetics (association studies, polygenic risk scores), „omics“ approaches (lipidomics), and high-throughput functional follow-ups (CRISPR screens). Phenotypically, we work on, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia but also on transdiagnostic approaches.