Drug Discovery and Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Genomics/Proteomics
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • R&D 100 Awards
  • Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50

Genome Studies Can Help Find Lifestyle Risks for Diseases

By Drug Discovery Trends Editor | February 16, 2016

Genome wide association studies (GWAS) scan the entire genome in order to pinpoint genetic variants associated with a particular disease. The technique is employed to identify biological pathways – the series of actions and changes that have occurred in cells and genetic material – that can be linked to the causation of a disease.

A team of researchers from the University of Bristol and Oxford University have suggested, in a paper published this week in PLOS Genetics, that a GWAS for a disease should also identify genetic variants that predict behaviors that increase the risk of the disease as well. If this is the case, GWAS may be useful places to look for potentially modifiable risk factors for disease, which could then be targeted by medics for interventions.

Professor Marcus Munafo, the study’s lead author, said: “Genome-wide association studies of lung cancer have identified genetic variants that strongly predict smoking. It is possible these genetic variants have independent effects on both smoking and lung cancer, but it seems far more likely that this variant was seen because smoking causes lung cancer.

“Genetic predictors for lifestyle are still being identified. We already know about variants that predict smoking, alcohol or caffeine use, and research is ongoing to predict things like cannabis use. As larger GWASs of disease are carried out, more of these variants which indicate the causal modifiable risk factors for disease will be identified. This will help the development of more effective and better-targeted interventions.

“These discoveries really underline how valuable the investment in genetic studies is – more so than is often thought. Genetic studies can not only identify the biological risk factors for disease, but the behavioural risk factors as well”

Source: University of Bristol


Filed Under: Genomics/Proteomics

 

Related Articles Read More >

DNA Script SYNTAX
DNA Script raises $165M Series C for DNA printing platform
DNA Script SYNTAX
DNA Script launches a benchtop DNA printer
DNA
Unraveling the promise of genetics for treating progressive illness 
Alzheimer's disease
How to build a foundation for the next phase of Alzheimer’s disease research

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.

Need Drug Discovery news in a minute?

We Deliver!
Drug Discovery & Development Enewsletters get you caught up on all the mission critical news you need. Sign up today.
Enews Signup
Drug Discovery and Development
  • MASSDEVICE
  • DEVICETALKS
  • Medical Design & Outsourcing
  • MEDICAL TUBING + EXTRUSION
  • MEDTECH 100
  • Medical Design Sourcing
  • Subscribe to our Free E-Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • R&D World
  • Drug Delivery Business News
  • Pharmaceutical Processing World

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Drug Discovery & Development

  • Home Drug Discovery and Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Genomics/Proteomics
  • Oncology
  • Neurological Disease
  • Infectious Disease
  • R&D 100 Awards
  • Pharma 50
    • 2022 Pharma 50
    • 2021 Pharma 50