
Overview
Background
Dr Nicole Warrington is a NHMRC Emerging Leadership Fellow at the University of Queensland Institute for Molecular Bioscience. She has a strong background in statistical genetics and has been actively working towards understanding the genetic determinants of early life growth. Dr Warrington studied a Bachelor of Science at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, majoring in Mathematical Statistics and Psychology. She then completed an honours degree at The University of Western Australia, where she developed a keen interest for genetics, and was subsequently awarded an Australian Postgraduate Award to complete her PhD in statistical genetics and life-course epidemiology. During her PhD she spent time at the University of Toronto to gain experience in statistical modelling methods for longitudinal growth trajectories and conducted the first genome-wide association study of longitudinal growth trajectories over childhood. After completing her PhD, Dr Warrington started at the University of Queensland and focused on using genetics to inform about the relationship between birth weight and cardio-metabolic diseases in later life. She pioneered a new statistical method to partition genetic effects on birth weight into maternal and fetal components, and combined this method with a causal modelling approach, Mendelian randomization. This method was instrumental in demonstrating the relationship between birth weight and adult hypertension is driven by genetic effects, over-turning 30 years of research into the effects of intrauterine programming. More recently, her research focus has broadened to determine whether rapid weight growth across early life, including fetal development, childhood and adolescence, causally increases risk of cardio-metabolic disease and in doing so, hopes to identify optimal times across the life-course where interventions could reduce the incidence of cardio-metabolic diseases.
Availability
- Dr Nicole Warrington is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Western Australia
Research interests
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Developmental origins of health and disease
The development of obesity often occurs in early life and tends to persist into adulthood. Unfavourable growth in early life is also associated with adverse cardio-metabolic outcomes in later life, such as type two diabetes and heart disease. Understanding the mechanisms underlying this relationship is a vital step in combating these lifestyle diseases and evaluating the likely success of early interventions. This research aims to address the following questions: (a) What maternal characteristics modify the early life environment and cause rapid early life weight growth in her offspring? (b) Is there a time period in early life where rapid weight growth causes increased risk of cardio-metabolic disease in later life, independent of adult obesity? Dr Warrington is a leading member of the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) consortium, which brings together studies from around the world with growth related phenotypes and genetic data in order to conduct large-scale genetic research. The EGG consortium have conducted several large genome-wide association studies of growth phenotypes, which are published in high impact journals including Nature and Nature Genetics. The results from these genome-wide association studies are then used to perform causal modelling to help disentangle the relationship between childhood growth and later life cardio-metabolic disease risk.
Works
Search Professor Nicole Warrington’s works on UQ eSpace
2010
Journal Article
Thirty new loci for age at menarche identified by a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies
Elks, C. E., Perry, J. R. B., Sulem, P., Chasman, D. I., Franceschini, N., He, C. Y., Lunetta, K. L., Visser, J. A., Byrne, E. M., Cousminer, D. L., Gudbjartsson, D. F., Esko, T., Feenstra, B., Hottenga, J. J., Koller, D. L., Kutalik, Z., Lin, P., Mangino, M., Marongiu, M., McArdle, P. F., Smith, A. V., Stolk, L., Van Wingerden, S. H., Zhao, J. H., Albrecht, E., Corre, T., Ingelsson, E., Hayward, C., Magnusson, P. K. E. ... GIANT Consortium (2010). Thirty new loci for age at menarche identified by a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies. Nature Genetics, 42 (12), 1077-1085. doi: 10.1038/ng.714
2010
Journal Article
The longitudinal association of common susceptibility variants for type 2 diabetes and obesity with fasting glucose level and BMI
Webster, Rebecca J., Warrington, Nicole M., Beilby, John P., Frayling, Timothy M. and Palmer, Lyle J. (2010). The longitudinal association of common susceptibility variants for type 2 diabetes and obesity with fasting glucose level and BMI. BMC Medical Genetics, 11 (1) 140. doi: 10.1186/1471-2350-11-140
2010
Journal Article
Cyclic AMP suppression is sufficient to induce gliomagenesis in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis-1
Warrington, Nicole M., Gianino, Scott M., Jackson, Erin, Goldhoff, Patricia, Garbow, Joel R., Piwnica-Worms, David, Gutmann, David H. and Rubin, Joshua B. (2010). Cyclic AMP suppression is sufficient to induce gliomagenesis in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis-1. Cancer Research, 70 (14), 5717-5727. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-3769
2010
Journal Article
Bayesian methods for meta-analysis of causal relationships estimated using genetic instrumental variables
Burgess, S., Thompson, S. G., Andrews, G., Samani, N. J., Hall, A., Whincup, P., Morris, R., Lawlor, D. A., Davey Smith, G., Timpson, N., Ebrahim, S., Ben-Shlomo, Y., Brown, M., Ricketts, S., Sandhu, M., Reiner, A., Psaty, B., Lange, L., Cushman, M., Hung, J., Thompson, P., Beilby, J., Warrington, N., Palmer, L. J., Nordestgaard, B. G., Tybjaerg-Hansen, A., Zacho, J., Wu, C., Lowe, G. ... Whittaker, J. (2010). Bayesian methods for meta-analysis of causal relationships estimated using genetic instrumental variables. Statistics in Medicine, 29 (12), 1298-1311. doi: 10.1002/sim.3843
2010
Journal Article
Variants in ADCY5 and near CCNL1 are associated with fetal growth and birth weight
Freathy, Rachel M., Mook-Kanamor, Dennis O., Sovio, Ulla, Prokopenko, Inga, Timpson, Nicholas J., Berry, Diane J., Warrington, Nicole M., Widen, Elisabeth, Hottenga, Jouke Jan, Kaakinen, Marika, Lange, Leslie A., Bradfield, Jonathan P., Kerkhof, Marjan, Marsh, Julie A., Magi, Reedik, Chen, Chih-Mei, Lyon, Helen N., Kirin, Mirna, Adair, Linda S., Aulchenko, Yurii S., Bennett, Amanda J., Borja, Judith B., Bouatia-Naji, Nabila, Charoen, Pimphen, Coin, Lachlan ..J. M., Cousminer, Diana L., De Geus, Eco J. C., Deloukas, Panos, Elliott, Paul ... McCarthy, Mark I. (2010). Variants in ADCY5 and near CCNL1 are associated with fetal growth and birth weight. Nature Genetics, 42 (5), 430-435. doi: 10.1038/ng.567
2010
Journal Article
Apolipoprotein E genotype is associated with serum C-reactive protein but not abdominal aortic aneurysm
Golledge, Jonathan, Biros, Erik, Cooper, Matthew, Warrington, Nicole, Palmer, Lyle J. and Norman, Paul E. (2010). Apolipoprotein E genotype is associated with serum C-reactive protein but not abdominal aortic aneurysm. Atherosclerosis, 209 (2), 487-491. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2009.09.027
2010
Journal Article
Characterization of tumor necrosis factor-α block haplotypes associated with susceptibility to chronic venous leg ulcers in Caucasian patients
Tan, Joo-Huang, Price, Patricia, Gut, Ivo, Stacey, Michael C., Warrington, Nicole M. and Wallace, Hilary J. (2010). Characterization of tumor necrosis factor-α block haplotypes associated with susceptibility to chronic venous leg ulcers in Caucasian patients. Human Immunology, 71 (12), 1214-1219. doi: 10.1016/j.humimm.2010.09.001
2009
Journal Article
Sequence Variants in Three Loci Influence Monocyte Counts and Erythrocyte Volume
Ferreira, MAR, Hottenga, JJ, Warrington, NM, Medland, SE, Willemsen, G, Lawrence, RW, Gordon, S, de Geus, EJC, Henders, AK, Smit, JH, Campbell, MJ, Wallace, L, Evans, DM, Wright, MJ, Nyholt, DR, James, AL, Beilby, JP, Penninx, BW, Palmer, LJ, Frazer, IH, Montgomery, GW, Martin, NG and Boomsma, DI (2009). Sequence Variants in Three Loci Influence Monocyte Counts and Erythrocyte Volume. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN GENETICS, 85 (5), 745-749. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2009.10.005
2009
Journal Article
Analyses of associations with asthma in four asthma population samples from Canada and Australia
Daley, Denise, Lemire, Mathieu, Akhabir, Loubna, Chan-Yeung, Moira, He, Jian Qing, McDonald, Treena, Sandford, Andrew, Stefanowicz, Dorota, Tripp, Ben, Zamar, David, Bosse, Yohan, Ferretti, Vincent, Montpetit, Alexandre, Tessier, Marie-Catherine, Becker, Allan, Kozyrskyj, Anita L., Beilby, John, McCaskie, Pamela A., Musk, Bill, Warrington, Nicole, James, Alan, Laprise, Catherine, Palmer, Lyle J., Pare, Peter D. and Hudson, Thomas J. (2009). Analyses of associations with asthma in four asthma population samples from Canada and Australia. Human Genetics, 125 (4), 445-459. doi: 10.1007/s00439-009-0643-8
2009
Journal Article
The PHF11 gene is not associated with asthma or asthma phenotypes in two independent populations
McClenaghan, J., Warrington, N. M., Jamrozik, E. F., Hui, J., Beilby, J. P., Hansen, J., De Klerk, N. H., James, A. L., Musk, A. W. and Palmer, L. J. (2009). The PHF11 gene is not associated with asthma or asthma phenotypes in two independent populations. Thorax, 64 (7), 620-625. doi: 10.1136/thx.2008.108985
2009
Journal Article
The association of common genetic variants in the APOA5, LPL and GCK genes with longitudinal changes in metabolic and cardiovascular traits
Webster, R. J., Warrington, N. M., Weedon, M. N., Hattersley, A. T., McCaskie, P. A., Beilby, J. P., Palmer, L. J. and Frayling, T. M. (2009). The association of common genetic variants in the APOA5, LPL and GCK genes with longitudinal changes in metabolic and cardiovascular traits. Diabetologia, 52 (1), 106-114. doi: 10.1007/s00125-008-1175-9
2009
Journal Article
Sequence variants affecting eosinophil numbers associate with asthma and myocardial infarction
Gudbjartsson, Daniel F., Bjornsdottir, Unnur S., Halapi, Eve, Helgadottir, Anna, Sulem, Patrick, Jonsdottir, Gudrun M., Thorleifsson, Gudmar, Helgadottir, Hafdis, Steinthorsdottir, Valgerdur, Stefansson, Hreinn, Williams, Carolyn, Hui, Jennie, Beilby, John, Warrington, Nicole M., James, Alan, Palmer, Lyle J., Koppelman, Gerard H., Heinzmann, Andrea, Krueger, Marcus, Boezen, H. Marike, Wheatley, Amanda, Altmuller, Janine, Shin, Hyoung Doo, Uh, Soo-Taek, Cheong, Hyun Sub, Jonsdottir, Brynja, Gislason, David, Park, Choon-Sik, Rasmussen, Linda M. ... Stefansson, Kari (2009). Sequence variants affecting eosinophil numbers associate with asthma and myocardial infarction. Nature Genetics, 41 (3), 342-347. doi: 10.1038/ng.323
2009
Journal Article
Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Gene Variants and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Smallwood, L., Warrington, N., Allcock, R., van Bockxmeer, F., Palmer, L. J., Iacopetta, B., Golledge, J. and Norman, P. E. (2009). Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Gene Variants and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 38 (2), 169-171. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2009.04.019
2008
Journal Article
The association of C-reactive protein and CRP genotype with coronary heart disease: findings from five studies with 4,610 cases amongst 18,637 participants
Lawlor, Debbie A., Harbord, Roger M., Timpson, Nic J., Lowe, Gordon D. O., Rumley, Ann, Gaunt, Tom R., Baker, Ian, Yarnell, John W. G., Kivimäki, Mika, Kumari, Meena, Norman, Paul E., Jamrozik, Konrad, Hankey, Graeme J., Almeida, Osvaldo P., Flicker, Leon, Warrington, Nicole, Marmot, Michael G., Ben-Shlomo, Yoav, Palmer, Lyle J., Day, Ian N. M., Ebrahim, Shah and Smith, George Davey (2008). The association of C-reactive protein and CRP genotype with coronary heart disease: findings from five studies with 4,610 cases amongst 18,637 participants. PLoS One, 3 (8) e3011, e3011.1-e3011.14. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003011
2008
Journal Article
Polymorphisms of the Interleukin-6 Gene Promoter and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Smallwood, L., Allcock, R., van Bockxmeer, F., Warrington, N., Palmer, L. J., Iacopetta, B. and Norman, P. E. (2008). Polymorphisms of the Interleukin-6 Gene Promoter and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 35 (1), 31-36. doi: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2007.08.021
2008
Journal Article
Polymorphisms of the matrix metalloproteinase 9 gene and abdominal aortic aneurysm
Smallwood, L., Allcock, R., Van Bockxmeer, F., Warrington, N., Palmer, L. J., Iacopetta, B., Golledge, J. and Norman, P. E. (2008). Polymorphisms of the matrix metalloproteinase 9 gene and abdominal aortic aneurysm. British Journal of Surgery, 95 (10), 1239-1244. doi: 10.1002/bjs.6345
2007
Journal Article
Spatiotemporal differences in CXCL12 expression and cyclic AMP underlie the unique pattern of optic glioma growth in neurofibromatosis type 1
Warrington, Nicole M., Woerner, B. Mark, Daginakatte, Girish C., Dasgupta, Biplab, Perry, Arie, Gutmann, David H. and Rubin, Joshua B. (2007). Spatiotemporal differences in CXCL12 expression and cyclic AMP underlie the unique pattern of optic glioma growth in neurofibromatosis type 1. Cancer Research, 67 (18), 8588-8595. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-06-2220
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Nicole Warrington is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Using multi-omics approaches to characterise determinants of early growth trajectories and their consequences on later life health
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Jake Gratten, Professor David Evans
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing and Applying Statistical Genetics Methods to Elucidate the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Evans
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Doctor Philosophy
Using single cell transcriptomics, gene-mapping, and animal models to accelerate drug discovery for patients with osteoporosis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Kemp
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the time and tissue dependent genetic architecture of complex traits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Loic Yengo
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Doctor Philosophy
Identifying genetic and cellular determinants of musculoskeletal disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Kemp
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Doctor Philosophy
Identifying genetic and cellular determinants of musculoskeletal disorders
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr John Kemp
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the time and tissue dependent genetic architecture of complex traits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Loic Yengo
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Using Genetics to Understand the Relationship Between the Intrauterine Environment and Future Offspring Cardiometabolic Risk
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Evans
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Detecting and Quantifying the Effect of Assortative mating and Maternal Effects on Statistical Genetics Analyses
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor David Evans
Media
Enquiries
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