Kaur Alasoo is an Associate Professor of Bioinformatics at the Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu.

Our research

Our main research interest is developing better analytical approaches and harmonised datasets for GWAS interpretation and target prioritisation. Instead of focusing on a specific disease, we are interested in developing generalisable approaches that many labs both in academia and industry can use to help interpret their traits and diseases of interest.

• In the eQTL Catalogue project, we are collaborating with Helen Parkinson’s group at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) to develop the largest catalogue of human genetic variants associated with gene expression, splicing and other transcriptional phenotypes. Thus far, we have re-analysed data from 31 studies and 127 datasets with our uniform analysis workflows.

Our primary motivation is to envision novel applications and use cases that become feasible when harmonised data from hundreds of datasets and various data modalities can be integrated into one seamless analysis. The genetic variants shared across multiple populations provide the necessary coordinate system to enable that.

In media

• Miks uute ravimite arendamine võtab niivõrd kaua aega? (koopia)
• Landmark genetics studies serve up new resources for gene expression research
• Reshaping genetics: Estonian and British research team debuts new data resource
• Building the eQTL Catalogue: a Q&A with Kaur Alasoo
• Eesti teadlased lõid geeniuurijatele üliolulise ja maailmas ainulaadse otsingumootori
• Eestlase uuring “geenitulekahjudest” avaldati mainekas teadusajakirjas