SYDNEY, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Researchers in Australia have mapped genetic links to 16 diseases, identifying nearly 1,500 genes that may contribute to conditions ranging from cancer to immune and neurological disorders.
The team, from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in collaboration with the Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the University of New South Wales in Australia, and other partners, analyzed the gene sequence and activity of more than 9 million individual immune cells from nearly 2,000 people, the largest dataset of its kind, according to a statement released Thursday by the Garvan Institute.
The three studies, published in Nature, examined how genetic variations affect gene activity, repetitive DNA sequences and chromatin accessibility, which influence whether genes can be switched on or off. The findings revealed previously unknown mechanisms linking genetic variations to disease risk.
The research could help accelerate drug development and precision medicine by identifying the genetic mechanisms underlying disease and the patients likely to respond to particular treatments. ■
