Series of interviews were written to present each PI of the CIG.
Most of them are already available on the new CIG Report’s website, and every week we will be displaying one of them in the newsletter.

“You come to Estonia?”

Copy number variants and autism spectrum disorder

 “I hope that I will remain original and be able to answer cool questions” answers Prof. Alexandre Reymond – in a rather pensive manner, after what seemed to be a long pause – when asked about his scientific dreams. And one cannot but conclude that the Gods of Science are offering him ample opportunities to do so.  Indeed, Prof. Reymond and his team are exploring a new field in human genomics: DNA copy number variants and complex disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder. Their research has lured them into previously unknown territory: primary cilia malfunction and ciliopathies.

«The ever-quickening advances of science made possible by the success of the Human Genome Project will also soon let us see the essence of mental disease. Only after we understand them at the genetic level can we rationally seek out appropriate therapies for such illnesses as schizophrenia and bipolar disease.»

James D. Watson