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Bjarke Feenstra

@bfeenstra.bsky.social
126 followers 194 following 27 posts

Genetic epidemiology, statistical genetics. #pregnancy #febrile seizures #pyloric stenosis. Group leader at Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen. Views are my own.

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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
bioRxivpreprint @biorxivpreprint.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
An atlas of transcriptional dynamics in maternal blood over the course of healthy pregnancy www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/20…
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Great team effort over many years 💪 Many thanks to Freja Dahl Hede, @brianpiening.bsky.social Line Slotte, Heather Boyd, Michael Snyder, Mads Melbye and many more colleagues for their great contributions. /fin
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Super grateful for the dedication of the amazing participants, who contributed weekly samples throughout pregnancy! 5/n
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
The atlas of detailed longitudinal transcriptional changes provides a baseline reference for healthy pregnancy. Results for all genes and protein-protein interaction networks are made available for interactive exploration. 4/n
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
Enrichment in pathways involved in innate and neutrophil-mediated immunity, antiviral responses, T cell differentiation and signaling, erythropoiesis and hemoglobin metabolism. Cell-type deconvolution showed increases in neutrophils and decreases in naïve CD4 and CD8 T cells. 3/n
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
We used a strict discovery/replication setup and found 720 genes that showed robust pregnancy specific expression patterns. Co-expression analysis clustered the genes into nine modules with distinct dynamics. 2/n
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 09/04/2026
🚨 New preprint: www.biorxiv.org/content/10.6... We studied the dynamics of maternal gene expression over the course of healthy pregnancy based on weekly samples 👇
biorxiv.org
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
Pol Solé Navais @polsolenavais.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
📣📣📣 We are excited to announce a Postdoc position at the University of Gothenburg using pregnancy on-a-chip systems! We are looking for a motivated candidate to push our efforts in moving from genetic discoveries to biological insights in preterm birth 👶 📅 Deadline 22 Feb 2026
nature.com
Postdoctoral fellow in Perinatal medical research - Gothenburg (Kommun), Västra Götaland (SE) job with University of Gothenburg | 12853219
The Institute of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology, is seeking a Postdoctor for perinatal medical wet and dry lab research.
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Heavy lifting by Frank Geller in strong collaboration with Danish Blood Donor Study, Copenhagen Hospital Biobank, @finngen.bsky.social @estbiobank.bsky.social @massgeneralbrigham.bsky.social @ssi-dk.bsky.social Out today in @natgenet.nature.com Sum stats at: www.danishnationalbiobank.com/gwas
danishnationalbiobank.com
GWAS summary data tables
In an effort to further research and collaboration, GWAS summary data has been made available here.
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
📣 🧬🦠 New article out on genetic susceptibility to infection with Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2. In this international GWAS meta-analysis, we identified loci not found for earlier variants of the virus. The findings point to a central role of glycosylation. 👇 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Central role of glycosylation processes in human genetic susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infections with Omicron variants - Nature Genetics
Genome-wide analyses identify 13 loci associated with susceptibility to infection with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants, including variation in ST6GAL1, previously associated with influenza susceptibility,...
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 07/01/2026
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 20/12/2025
Well done 👍
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 10/12/2025
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 17/08/2025
Interesting. Seems to connect well with the IL-1 locus we found in a fetal GWAS of gestational duration www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Variants in the fetal genome near pro-inflammatory cytokine genes on 2q13 associate with gestational duration - Nature Communications
Gestational duration depends on both maternal and fetal genetic influences. Here, the authors perform a fetal genome-wide association meta-analysis and find that a locus on 2q13 is associated with pre...
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
Anders Husby @a-husby.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
🧵 New paper out in PLoS Medicine ( doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1004657 ): Are common infections during pregnancy harmful to a child’s long-term cognitive outcomes? We looked at over 250,000 full-siblings to find out. Thread with explanation blow 👇
scholar.google.com
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
🧬🤰Still 2 weeks left to apply for this unique PhD fellowship in the genetics of fetal growth 👇👇
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
More details at our group website: feenstralab.github.io/posts/2025-0...
feenstralab.github.io
FeenstraLab: PhD project - genetics, fetal growth, pregnancy ultrasound images
PhD fellowship in the genetics of fetal and placental growth measures derived from pregnancy ultrasound images
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 27/06/2025
📢 We’re hiring a PhD Fellow 📢 Genetics of fetal and placental growth using measures derived from ultrasound imaging in pregnancy. Co-supervised by Simon Rasmussen (CBMR, @cbmr.science) and me (SSI, @ssi-dk.bsky.social). Start: Oct 1, 2025 Deadline: July 24, 2025 📎 employment.ku.dk/phd/?show=16...
employment.ku.dk
PhD fellowship in the genetics of growth and development in pregnancy in the Rasmussen Group
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
Michel Nivard @michelnivard.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
This is VERY big genetics & health news, Regeneron (Pharmaceutical company with v strong genetics in medicine arm) is going to buy 23andme. investor.regeneron.com/news-release...
investor.regeneron.com
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
SMARTbiomed @smartbiomed.bsky.social · 02/04/2025
📢 Applications open for the SMARTbiomed Summer School! 🧠 Learn Causal Inference, Statistical Genetics & ML in R 📍 June 23–27 at the stunning Sandbjerg Estate, Denmark ⏳ Apply by April 19 — limited spots available! 👩‍🔬 For PhDs, postdocs & early-career researchers 🔗 smartbiomed.dk/news-and-eve...
smartbiomed.dk
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 29/03/2025
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
Sheila I. Jensen Privat @sijensenpolitik.eurosky.social · 26/03/2025
Demonstration i solidaritet med Grønland på Lørdag kl. 12:00 foran den amerikanske ambassade. Håber at vi er mange der dukker op. #dkpol #dkmedier www.facebook.com/events/40399...
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Yes
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
GWAS summary statistics available here: www.danishnationalbiobank.com/gwas /fin
danishnationalbiobank.com
GWAS summary data tables
In an effort to further research and collaboration, GWAS summary data has been made available here.
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
31 genome-wide significant loci were found, harbouring plausible candidate genes like NFAT5, SAMD9, and SLC4A10. Intriguingly, MAGMA analysis showed enrichment of expression in pituitary tissue, underlining the importance of this gland in systemic osmolality regulation. /4
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Despite the power of these resources, we found no genetic associations for TIH. However, we also conducted GWAS analysis of plasma sodium in general, combining our results with a previous GWAS meta-analysis and detected many signals. /3
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
We made use of (1) nationwide Danish registers for repeated sodium measurements and filled prescriptions of thiazides, and (2) Danish Blood Donor study and Copenhagen Hospital Biobank cohorts with existing genetic data for about half a million participants. 2/
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Great effort by recently minted PhD Niklas Andersson (not on Bluesky) at Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen. His thesis was on thiazide induced hyponatremia (TIH), low plasma sodium as a potential adverse reaction to use of thiazide diuretics. This paper investigates the genetics of TIH. /1
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
Daniel E. Weeks @statgendan.bsky.social · 07/03/2025
Science Pays, Science Saves. Defend It, Fund It. #StandUpForScience
A colorful hand-lettered sign made for the Pittsburgh Stand Up for Science rally. It reads: Science Pays, Science Saves. Defend It, Fund It.
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
Bjarni Vilhjalmsson @bvilhjal.bsky.social · 24/01/2025
ESHG Abstract Deadline Reminder! The Submission Deadline for #ESHG2025 is in a week (Jan 30)! Please join us this spring (May 24-27) in Milan, Italy, for another fun and exciting ESHG conference! Learn more at 2025.eshg.org Please retweet. #Genetics #ScienceConference #ESHG #ESHG2025
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
SMARTbiomed @smartbiomed.bsky.social · 14/01/2025
The Pioneer Centre for SMARTbiomed will leverage large-scale, multimodal biomedical data combined with focused innovation in statistical and computational methods including machine learning to advance our understanding, treatment, and prevention of human disease. Learn more about us: smartbiomed.dk
smartbiomed.dk
The Pioneer Centre for SMARTbiomed
The Pioneer Centre is anchored at Aarhus University and will be a collaboration of researchers from Aarhus University, University of Copenhagen, and University of Oxford.
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 25/12/2024
Christmas time, board game time!
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Heavy lifting by Frank Geller in strong collaboration with Danish Blood Donor Study, Copenhagen Hospital Biobank, FinnGen, @estbiobank.bsky.social , Mass General Brigham Biobank, Statens Serum Institut.
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
New preprint out on genetic susceptibility to infection with Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2. International GWAS meta-analysis discovers loci not found for earlier variants of the virus and indicates central role of glycosylation. 👇 www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1...
medrxiv.org
Central role of glycosylation processes in human genetic susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infections with Omicron variants
The host genetics of SARS-CoV-2 has previously been studied based on cases from the earlier waves of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, identifying 51 genomic loci associated with infection and/or severit...
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
medRxivpreprint @medrxivpreprint.bsky.social · 22/11/2024
Central role of glycosylation processes in human genetic susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infections with Omicron variants www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/202…
medrxiv.org
Central role of glycosylation processes in human genetic susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 infections with Omicron variants https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.21.24317689v1
The host genetics of SARS-CoV-2 has previously been studied based on cases from the earlier waves of
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
Pol Solé Navais @polsolenavais.bsky.social · 29/09/2024
A little bit late to the party, but our project on the genetics of neonatal jaundice has been finally published 👶 www.nature.com/articles/s41... It's a neat story and a rollercoster of unexpected findings 🤓🤓 How do the genetics of neonatal jaundice differentiate from those of adult bilirubin?
nature.com
Genome-wide analyses of neonatal jaundice reveal a marked departure from adult bilirubin metabolism - Nature Communications
The underlying causes of neonatal jaundice are not well understood. Here, the authors identify genetic variants associated with neonatal jaundice, including a variant in the gene UGT1A, finding a dist...
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
All set for some interesting weekend reading 🌱
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
Struan Grant @struangrant.bsky.social · 06/09/2024
Led by @polsolenavais.bsky.social & BoJacobsson: "Genome-wide analyses of neonatal jaundice reveal a marked departure from adult bilirubin metabolism". Contributed with Hakon Hakonarson & @jonathanbradfield.bsky.social locally. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
nature.com
Genome-wide analyses of neonatal jaundice reveal a marked departure from adult bilirubin metabolism - Nature Communications
The underlying causes of neonatal jaundice are not well understood. Here, the authors identify genetic variants associated with neonatal jaundice, including a variant in the gene UGT1A, finding a dist...
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Bjarke Feenstra @bfeenstra.bsky.social · 03/07/2024
Amazing methods-oriented PIONEER center of Biomedicine launching in DK and UK, led by Naomi Wray, @ceclindgren.bsky.social @bvilhjal.bsky.social Preben Bo Mortensen, Erin Gabriel, Chris Holmes, Peter Visscher
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Reposted by Bjarke Feenstra
Thomas Nichols @nichols.bsky.social · 02/07/2024
SMARTbiomed Oxford-Aarhus-Copenhagen collaboration smartbiomed.dk about to launch led by Naomi Wray. Lots of positions! Great opportunity to join Oxford Big Data Institute bdi.ox.ac.uk Jobs 173031-3 at jobs.ox.ac.uk Methods-focussed in groups Holmes, Visscher, Evans,etc, Denmark ads soon.
smartbiomed.dk
The Pioneer Centre for SMARTbiomed
The Pioneer Centre is anchored at Aarhus University and will be a collaboration of researchers from Aarhus University, University of Copenhagen, and University of Oxford.
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