Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Polygenic Traits01:18

Polygenic Traits

7.1K
7.1K
Polygenic Traits01:18

Polygenic Traits

58.4K
When more than one gene is responsible for a given phenotype, the trait is considered polygenic. Human height is a polygenic trait. Studies have uncovered hundreds of loci that influence height, and there are believed to be many more. Due to the high number of genes involved, as well as environmental and nutritional factors, height varies significantly within a given population. The distribution of height forms a bell-shaped curve, with relatively few individuals in the population at the...
58.4K
Heritability01:06

Heritability

977
Heritability is a statistical concept that measures the degree to which genetic differences among individuals contribute to trait variations within a population. It is a fundamental idea in genetics, often prone to misinterpretation. Heritability is expressed as a percentage, reflecting the proportion of variation in a specific trait across a population that can be linked to genetic differences. However, it's important to understand that heritability does not determine how "genetic"...
977
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

53.1K
In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
53.1K
Genetic Variation01:25

Genetic Variation

1.7K
Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles,...
1.7K
Epistasis01:39

Epistasis

37.3K
In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...
37.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Genome-wide genetic overlap between fear-based disorders and generalised anxiety disorder.

Molecular psychiatry·2026
Same author

Strategic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Australia-Systems Genomics Consortium (SALSA-SGC): cohort profile.

BMJ open·2026
Same author

Separating direct, indirect, and parent-of-origin genetic effects in the human population.

Cell genomics·2026
Same author

Genome-wide meta-analysis of quantitatively measured generalized anxiety symptoms in individuals of European ancestry.

Nature human behaviour·2026
Same author

Author Correction: Genome-wide fine-mapping improves identification of causal variants.

Nature genetics·2026
Same author

Extensive antagonistic variants across the human genome.

Nature communications·2026
Same journal

The future of marsupial gene editing: What's in the (tool) pouch?

Trends in genetics : TIG·2026
Same journal

Genetic suppressors as new therapeutic targets for Mendelian diseases.

Trends in genetics : TIG·2026
Same journal

Beyond housekeeping: snRNA diversity, regulation, and human disease.

Trends in genetics : TIG·2026
Same journal

Rethinking mitochondrial metabolism: Intraindividual variability meets population constraints.

Trends in genetics : TIG·2026
Same journal

A role for epigenetics in rapid adaptation.

Trends in genetics : TIG·2026
Same journal

The myth of asexual fungi.

Trends in genetics : TIG·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis
10:08

Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis

Published on: August 12, 2019

13.6K

Explaining additional genetic variation in complex traits.

Matthew R Robinson1, Naomi R Wray1, Peter M Visscher2

  • 1The Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.

Trends in Genetics : TIG
|March 18, 2014
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified thousands of genetic variants influencing human traits and diseases. Further research is needed to understand the remaining genetic variance for improved disease prediction and drug discovery.

More Related Videos

Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay EMSA and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay DAPA
11:35

Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay EMSA and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay DAPA

Published on: August 21, 2016

12.5K
Navigating MARRVEL, a Web-Based Tool that Integrates Human Genomics and Model Organism Genetics Information
09:37

Navigating MARRVEL, a Web-Based Tool that Integrates Human Genomics and Model Organism Genetics Information

Published on: August 15, 2019

8.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 2, 2026

Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis
10:08

Genetic Mapping of Thermotolerance Differences Between Species of Saccharomyces Yeast via Genome-Wide Reciprocal Hemizygosity Analysis

Published on: August 12, 2019

13.6K
Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay EMSA and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay DAPA
11:35

Screening for Functional Non-coding Genetic Variants Using Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay EMSA and DNA-affinity Precipitation Assay DAPA

Published on: August 21, 2016

12.5K
Navigating MARRVEL, a Web-Based Tool that Integrates Human Genomics and Model Organism Genetics Information
09:37

Navigating MARRVEL, a Web-Based Tool that Integrates Human Genomics and Model Organism Genetics Information

Published on: August 15, 2019

8.9K

Area of Science:

  • Human Genetics
  • Complex Trait Analysis
  • Population Genetics

Background:

  • Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 6000 variants linked to >500 human traits and diseases.
  • Current discoveries explain only a fraction of the genetic basis for complex traits, leaving significant unexplained genetic variance.
  • Understanding this variance is crucial for disease risk prediction, drug target identification, and biodiversity research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To address the challenge of dissecting the remaining unexplained genetic variance in complex traits.
  • To outline strategies for enhancing the explanatory power of genetic studies.
  • To advocate for the continued application of quantitative genetic approaches.

Main Methods:

  • Leveraging larger sample sizes in genetic studies.
  • Implementing improved phenotyping, including non-genetic risk factors.
  • Integrating diverse phenotypic and genetic information sources.
  • Employing focused study designs.

Main Results:

  • GWAS have successfully identified numerous genetic associations with complex traits and diseases.
  • A substantial portion of phenotypic variance remains unexplained by current genetic discoveries.
  • The study highlights the potential of integrating multiple data sources to advance understanding.

Conclusions:

  • Future progress in understanding complex traits requires larger sample sizes and comprehensive phenotyping.
  • Integrating diverse genetic and phenotypic data is essential for dissecting unexplained variance.
  • Quantitative genetic approaches provide a robust framework for future research, prioritizing simpler models until greater explanatory power is achieved.