Oponent:
Prof. Aysu Okbay, Genetic Epidemiology, Department of Psychiatry Amsterdam University Medical Center
Abstract:
Genetics and genomics study how genetic information is inherited and how it contributes to differences between individuals. Over the past twenty years, human genetic studies have produced a massive amount of data on genetic associations – statistical links between differences in DNA and people’s characteristics, such as height, diseases and even education. At the same time, large collections of health, genetic, and other types of information were created. The UK Biobank and Estonian Biobank are two famous examples of such resources. These developments expanded the opportunities to use genetic data as a tool to answer questions about human population history and social processes.
The first study of the dissertation investigates how the genetic differences among ancient ancestral populations contribute to differences in characteristics of present-day Europeans, such as body size or blood composition. The second study examines how strongly genetic factors are linked to people’s education level and their jobs before and after Estonia regained its independence in 1991. The third study explores how genetic differences between Estonian regions changed due to recent migration within the country and whether genetic factors influence people’s migration behaviour. The fourth study analyses associations between education-related genetic factors and the number of children women and men have in Estonia, shedding light on the role of education and other factors affecting family size.
The dissertation demonstrates the value of combining genetic associations with historical, demographic and geographic information to study past populations and contemporary societies. It not only broadens our understanding of specific populations and societies but also contributes to the discovery of general patterns, universal across populations and societies.
