"Genetic Influences on Complex Traits"

With exciting advances in the field of genetics, genetic material is increasingly being incorporated into behavioral research. Dr. Dick’s talk will provide an introduction to the methodologies used to study genetic influences on complex traits, intended for a general scientific audience without expertise in genetics. She will provide an overview of traditional behavior genetic methodologies, including family, adoption, and twin studies and extensions thereof used to test more complex questions such as developmental change and gene-environment interaction. In addition, her talk will provide an introduction to gene identification methods (linkage, association) and associated genetic terminology (SNPs, genetic markers, etc).