Colleen O'Ryan | Genetic Autism Cape Town

I completed my PhD in Evolutionary and Population Genetics at the University of Cape Town (SA), followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute of Zoology, University College, London (UK).  I have published in the fields of evolutionary, population and behavioural genetics using range of molecular approaches in combination with demography, behavioural and life history traits. I shifted my research focus in 2014 to examine the association of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) with genetic loci using an epigenetic approach to identify differential genes associated with ASD. Also see: https://geneticskidslab.wixsite.com/oryanlab

My research group has set up a unique cohort of deeply phenotyped, South African children with ASD and matched controls. Our research uses a multi-disciplinary approach which includes ASD phenotyping, DNA methylation, metabolomics and cell biology. We have identified an ASD endophenotype that exhibits mitochondrial dysfunction partly driven by DNA methylation which our group proposes contributes to the aetiology of ASD. This mitochondrial dysfunction was supported by urinary metabolomics and increased mitochondrial DNA copy number in the ASD cohort. We are currently examining the mitochondrial hypothesis of ASD in a neuronal cell model system. Our group uses molecular biology, biochemistry, NGS, microscopy and cell culture techniques. 

Mahony C, O’Ryan C. 2021. Convergent Canonical Pathways in Autism Spectrum Disorder from Proteomic, Transcriptomic and DNA Methylation Data. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22, 10757. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221910757

Bam S, Buchanan E, Mahony, C and C. O’Ryan, 2021. DNA methylation of PGC-1α is associated with elevated mtDNA copy number and altered urinary metabolites in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front. Cell Dev. Biol., 26 July 2021 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2021.696428

S. Stathopoulos, R. Gaujoux, Z. Linderque, C. Mahony, R. Van Der Colff, F. Van Der Westhuizen and C. O’Ryan. 2020. DNA methylation associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in a South African Autism Spectrum Disorder cohort. Autism Research. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/310748.

E. H. Harley, M. de Waal, S Murray, and C. O’Ryan. 2016.  Comparison of whole mitochondrial genome sequences of northern and southern white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum): The conservation consequences of species definitions. Conservation Genetics. DOI 10.1007/s10592-016-0861-2. 

N.M.S. Techow, C. O’Ryan, C.J.R Roberson and P.G. Ryan. 2016. The origins of white-chinned petrels killed bylong-line fisheries off South Africa and New Zealand. Polar Research 35, 21150. 

N. Muna and C. O’Ryan. 2016. Isolation and characterisation of the first microsatellite markers for the southern harvester termite, Microhodotermes viator. Bulletin of Entomological Research 1:1-6.

S. Stathopoulos (Neuroscience Department, Mount Sinai, USA)
F. Van Der Westhuizen (Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, SA)
Z  Linderque (Human Metabolomics, North-West University, Potchefstroom, SA) 
Dr Renauld Gaujoux (Cytoreason LTD, Tel Aviv, Israel)
Yoav van den Heyden, consultant Clinical Psychologist, Cape Town 
Alpha School for Learners with Autism
Centre for Play and Learning
Vera School for Learners with Autism
Zwaanswyk Academy (Primary School)

Current students
Sophia Bam, Ph.D. student
Emma Frickel, Ph.D. student
Erin Buchanan, M.Sc. Student
Caitlyn Mahony, M.Sc. Student
Rachelle Van der Colff, M.Sc. Student
Aqueelah Sedick, B.Sc. (Hons) student
Mignon van der Watt, B.Sc. (Hons) student

Past students / researchers
Sofia Stathopoulos- Postdoctoral Researcher
Gerrit Van Wyk - M.Sc.
Marita De Waal - M.Sc.
Michaella Hulley – M.Sc.
Antonette Nell - Research Assistant
Sophia Bam - Research Assistant
Melissa Stander - Research Assistant