From Mendelian randomization to hypothesis-free causal inference

This innovative programme aims to extend the now widely utilized Mendelian Randomization (MR) paradigm in ways that will substantially increase its utility in population and clinical sciences.

Aims and objectives

The primary objective of this research is to develop MR to:

• Address the recognized limitations of MR through development of a range of approaches, to address issues such as limited statistical power, pleiotropy and the lack of established genetic instruments
• Incorporate increasingly accessible omics data (epigenetic and metabolomic) to assist in defining the role of these intermediate pathways in disease causation
• Harness vast wealth of genome-wide SNP data for application in MR approaches, increasing the power and scope of this widely applicable tool for causal inference.

Linking across the unit

Linkage to the other MRC IEU programmes is integral to the methodological development and application of MR. Visit our research pages for overviews of the other IEU programmes.