Behavioural genetics articles from across Nature Portfolio

Behavioural genetics is the interdisciplinary effort to establish causal links between genes and animal (including human) behavioural traits and neural mechanisms. Methods used include twin studies, quantitative trait mapping by linkage to allelic variants, transgenic animals and targeted gene disruption or silencing.

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  • News & Views |

    Polygenic indices (PGIs) are increasingly advocated as screening tools for personalized medicine and education. We find, however, that rankings of individuals in PGI distributions for cardiovascular disease and education created with different construction methods and discovery samples are highly unstable. Hence, current PGIs lack the desired precision to be used routinely for personalized intervention.

    Nature Human Behaviour, 1-2

  • News & Views |

    Non-random mating affects the genetic makeup of populations and challenges the validity of popular genetics methods. A new study explores the unique patterns of non-random mating in the Japanese population and underscores the importance of large-scale genetic studies outside European-descended groups.

    • Karin J. H. Verweij
    •  & Abdel Abdellaoui
    Nature Human Behaviour 7, 13-14

  • News & Views |

    Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the FKBP5 gene influence the risk of developing stress-related disorders, but the underlying processes are not fully understood. Animal models offer a possibility to investigate the influence of FKBP5 gene variants on the stress response system.

    • Marie-Pierre Moisan
    Lab Animal 51, 188-189

  • Comments & Opinion |

    To do good science, we need to include diverse perspectives, work across disciplines and think outside the box while reminding ourselves that our goal as scientists is to serve humanity. I am sharing my story to encourage others to trust their gut feelings and to have the courage to see what everyone sees, but think what no one has thought.

    • Rana Dajani
    Nature Genetics 54, 363
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