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Genome-wide association studies for common diseases and complex traits
Joel N Hirschhorn1, Mark J Daly
1Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. joel.hirschhorn@childrens.harvard.edu
Nature Reviews. Genetics
|February 18, 2005
Summary
Genetic factors influence disease susceptibility and traits, but identifying specific genes is challenging. Genome-wide association studies offer a powerful approach for mapping these genes, requiring careful execution and analysis.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Disease Susceptibility
- Quantitative Traits
Background:
- Genetic factors significantly impact common disease susceptibility and quantitative traits.
- Identifying individual genes contributing to heritability is difficult due to their small effect sizes.
- Current genetic association studies are limited by the number of genes that can be analyzed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for gene discovery.
- To emphasize the need for careful methodology in genetic research.
Main Methods:
- Review of genetic association study limitations.
- Anticipation of genome-wide association studies.
Main Results:
- Genome-wide association studies are poised to advance the understanding of genetic contributions to disease.
- Careful execution and analysis are crucial for the success of these large-scale studies.
Conclusions:
- Genome-wide association studies represent a significant advancement in genetic research.
- Methodological rigor is essential for unlocking the full potential of GWAS in understanding and treating diseases.