Functional genomics of gene-environment interactions in cardiovascular health

Human complex traits result from genetic and environmental factors, and from their interactions. Many of these effects are mediated by changes in gene regulation. Indeed, most genetic variants associated with complex trait variation in humans are in regulatory regions. I will present some of our recent studies on gene-environment interactions in gene regulation, with a specific focus on cardiovascular health. I will present evidence that gene-environment interactions in molecular phenotypes are frequent, account for a substantial portion of complex trait variation and modify genetic risk for cardiovascular disease.