Brian O’Roak uses genomic approaches to unlock the genetic basis of neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and intellectual disability.
Brian O’Roak
Associate professor of molecular and medical genetics
Oregon Health and Science University
From this contributor
How I learned to stop worrying and love preprints
Preprints are gaining traction in biology, but some researchers have lingering concerns. Should they?
Burning debate: What’s the best way to nab real autism genes?
How to best use a large volume of data to discover new genetic risk factors for autism is a matter of intense debate, particularly in light of historical challenges.
Burning debate: What’s the best way to nab real autism genes?
By
Brian O’Roak
27 June 2017 | 9 min read
Explore more from The Transmitter
When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 3: Would there be data?
Tempest McDonald takes a postdoctoral position at Vanderbilt University. Researching her paper accusing the National Institutes of Health of discrimination threatens everything she has built.
When autistic kids grow up, Chapter 3: Would there be data?
Tempest McDonald takes a postdoctoral position at Vanderbilt University. Researching her paper accusing the National Institutes of Health of discrimination threatens everything she has built.
By
Brady Huggett
18 June 2026 | 27 min listen
Cousin comparison parses genetic effects in autism
The approach helps reveal whether maternal genes contribute directly to autism in children or have indirect effects on the prenatal environment.
Cousin comparison parses genetic effects in autism
The approach helps reveal whether maternal genes contribute directly to autism in children or have indirect effects on the prenatal environment.
By
Charles Q. Choi
18 June 2026 | 4 min read
Single-neuron recordings zoom into ‘blurry map’ of human motor cortex
The motor cortex is organized into an "intermixed jumble of tiles" to generate meaningful movement.
Single-neuron recordings zoom into ‘blurry map’ of human motor cortex
The motor cortex is organized into an "intermixed jumble of tiles" to generate meaningful movement.
By
Claudia López Lloreda
17 June 2026 | 5 min read