Using genetics to improve how drug targets are identified

Many modern drugs target very specific biological processes. When a drug is being developed, these processes are known as ‘drug targets’. The more complex and expensive drug development becomes, the more we need to focus on drug targets that are likely to work.

This project aims to develop new approaches to identify potential drug targets. It is a collaboration between Biogen and University of Bristol.

The project will use three approaches:

• Mendelian randomization (MR) is a ground-breaking approach pioneered in Bristol by our Medical Director George Davey Smith. This approach uses natural variation in our genes that encode drug targets to predict the effects of drugs for those targets
• To check whether the MR approach is using appropriate genetic variants, genetic colocalization tests whether the same genetic variant affects both the drug target and the disease
• Fine mapping is another approach to identify which genetic variants are most appropriate to use in MR prediction of the effects of drugs

This project builds on expertise in the Medical Research Council’s Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU) at the University of Bristol. The MRC IEU have used MR and their genetic data platform OpenGWAS for similar work.