The Cultural Center at El Corte Inglés in Málaga will host the fourth lecture in the 22nd Encounters with Science series on Friday, March 6th at 7:30 pm. Entitled "Genes, Brain, and Mental Health", the lecture will feature Dr. Claudio Toma, a researcher at the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBMSO-CSIC), who will discuss the latest advances in the genetic understanding of psychiatric disorders. The event will be introduced by Dr. Enrique Viguera Mínguez, the series coordinator.

Disorders such as autism, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia have a very strong genetic component, although they do not depend on a single gene, but rather on the interaction of many, each with a small effect. This complexity has transformed research in the field, driving the development of advanced computational methods and international networks capable of simultaneously analyzing millions of genetic variants.

Thanks to this approach, scientists are identifying genes involved in each disorder and discovering previously unknown patterns, leading to a better understanding of how genetics and environment combine to influence mental health. The conference will review the history of these studies, the challenges they have faced, and how these advances are laying the foundation for personalized medicine aimed at improving prevention, diagnosis, and the quality of life for those living with these conditions.