Molecular Genetics and OB Zhaoli Song Wendong Li Nan Wang National University of Singapore

Agenda -Can genetics and management come together? -Molecular genetics and relevant methods -Molecular genetics and psycho-social functioning

Genetics and Management? B= f (P, E) First Law of behavior genetics: All human behavioral traits are heritable. (Turkheimer & Gottesman, 1991) Heredity of work related variables: —Job satisfaction (30%), work value (35%), occupational interest (47%), leadership occupancy (30%), leadership style (50%), entrepreneurship (40%) Genomephobia —Gattaca, Island of Lost Souls, Ben10 and others.

CAGTCGGCT CAGTCGACT Genetic Variances Individual # 1 Individual # 2 CAGTCGGCT CAGTCGGCT G/G A/G Single nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) 12 repeat units 18 repeat units ATTGTTATCCGCTCACAATTCCACACAAT CACACACACACACACACACACACACACACACACACA GAGTGAGCTAACTCACATTAATTGCGTTGC ATTGTTATCCGCTCACAATTCCACACAAT CACACACACACACACACACACACA GAGTGAGCTAACTCACATTAATTGCGTTGC Variable Number Tanden repeat (VNTR) Individual # 1 Individual # 2

Genotyping methods DNA collection and extraction. PCR Genotyping

How Genetics Be Related to Work Outcomes ? Arvey and Bouchard (1994)

Molecular Genetics and Psycho-Social Variables Personality —Cloninger’s TPQ —1996: DRD4 &Novelty Seeking and 5-HTTLPR & Harm Avoidance —Meta-analysis and GWAS: some disappointment and some hope. Cognitive ability —Less successful in identifying specific genes Social attitude & behavior —Popularity : 5-HTR2a —Risk taking: DRD4 and 5-HTTLPR —Risk behaviors: DAT1 —Empathy: OXTR and AVPR1a

Addhealth Using Waves III&IV of the National Adolescent Longitudinal Study Examined the relationships among DRD4, 5-HTTLPR, job satisfaction and job complexity Findings: Dopamine receptor DRD4 and Serotonin transporter gene 5- HTTLPR were significantly associated with job satisfaction. Levels of pay mediated the DRD4 and job satisfaction relationship. DRD4 7R was indirectly related to job satisfaction through subjective job complexity. people with DRD4 7R and more complex jobs, they were more satisfied with their jobs than those without DRD4 7R.

STARS parents 602 Singapore Chinese parents were surveyed with a paper-pencil survey 123 couples were surveyed through their mobile phones 4 times a day for 7 days. 18 individuals were collected free cortisol for two days. Illumina’s Sentrix Humanhap 610 Genotyping BeadChip Findings: The 5-HTR2A gene (-1438A/G) had both main effect and moderation effect in the relationships between positive affect,stressful life experience and job satisfaction. OXTR gene (SNP rs237893) may play a role in regulating individuals’ stress reactivity, as well as the reaction to spouse negative emotional state. There was a significant gender effect where the same genotype may be associated with opposite effects across genders.

BIZ genome pool Plan to include 2000 undergraduates and track their school and career experiences. Personality, social relationship, and decision making. More than 10 SNPs and VNTRs. So far we have recruited more than 1000 Plan to open to other researchers

Conclusion Recent advancements in molecular genetics present with OB scholars with rare opportunities to examine some fundamental issues that are related to human behaviors. There is the potential to fill in the gaps between gene and social and behavioral functions. We have some initial evidences to support bridging these two fields.

Challenges 1.How can we use the molecular genetic information in management practice? 2.Ethic constraints of using molecular genetic information. 3.How molecular genetics can be combined with other physiological variables to enhance our understanding of OB.

Thank you!