Genetics of Food Allergy

The risk factors for food allergy (FA) include both genetic variants and environmental factors. Advances using both candidate-gene association studies and genome-wide approaches have led to the identification of FA-associated genes involved in immune responses and skin barrier functions. Epigenetic changes have also been associated with the risk of FA. In this chapter, we outline current understanding of the genetics, epigenetics and the interplay with environmental risk factors associated with FA. Future studies of gene-environment interactions, gene-gene interactions, and multi-omics integration may help shed light on the mechanisms of FA, and lead to improved diagnostic and treatment strategies.