About Lab Research

Dr. Ren-Hua Chung’s Lab focus on three research areas: statistical method development for genetic data, software development for genetic data analysis, and complex disease association analysis. We are developing novel statistical association tests, which aim to identify candidate genes associated with complex diseases based on human genetics data. We are particularly interested in developing family-based association tests. These tests include single-variant tests, gene-based tests, pathway analysis methods, and gene-gene interaction methods. With the high-throughput technique to generate genetic data, it has become important to develop efficient software to analyze the big data. We are developing efficient software packages that integrate difference resources such as public databases, bioinformatics tools, and statistical methods for genetic data analysis. Moreover, we are involved in several complex disease studies, such as metabolic syndrome, hypertension, and schizophrenia research.

Recent Software Release

FamPipe
FamPipe is an automatic analysis pipeline for analyzing sequencing data in families for disease studies. Access the pipeline at http://fampipe.sourceforge.net
GESDB
GESDB is a platform for sharing simulation data and discussion of simulation techniques for human genetic studies. Access the database at http://gesdb.nhri.org.tw
SeqSIMLA2_exact
SeqSIMLA2 -exact efficiently simulates genotypes conditional on disease status. Download the software from http://seqsimla.sourceforge.net
GCORE
GCORE is an efficient family-based gene-gene interaction test for trios. Download the software from http://gscore.sourceforge.net
OPTPDT
OPTPDT is a family-based multi-SNP association test using an optimal p-value threshold algorithm for GWAS. Download the software from http://optpdt.sourceforge.net

Recent Publications

59. Chung RH*, Chuang SY, Chen YE, Li GH, Hsieh CH, Chiou HY, Hsiung CA. Prevalence and predictive modeling of undiagnosed diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in Taiwan: a Taiwan Biobank study. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care. 2023;11(3):e003423.
58. Huang MC, Tu HY, Chung RH, Kuo HW, Liu TH, Chen CH, Mochly-Rosen D, Liu YL. Changes of neurofilament light chain in patients with alcohol dependence following withdrawal and the genetic effect from ALDH2 Polymorphism. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2023 Jun 14.
57. Williamson A,…, Chung RH,…, Langenberg C. Genome-wide association study and functional characterization identifies candidate genes for insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Nat Genet. 2023;55(6):973-983.
56. Lin YF, Chou WH, Liu TH, Fang CP, Kuo HW, Kuo PH, Tsai SJ, Wang SC, Chung RH, Tsou HH, Chen ACH, Liu YL. Splice-Site Variants in the Gene Encoding GABA-A Receptor Delta Subunit Are Associated with Amphetamine Use in Patients under Methadone Maintenance Treatment. Int J Mol Sci. 2022;24(1):721.
55. Yengo L,…, Chung RH,…,Hirschhorn JN. A saturated map of common genetic variants associated with human height. Nature. 2022;610(7933):704-712.