Big Leap Forward in Understanding Genetics Underlying Prevalent Diseases

The Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC), a collaboration of 24 leading human geneticists analyzing thousands of DNA samples from patients suffering prevalent human diseases, have announced breakthrough research findings. Hailed as a "...new chapter in medical science...", genetic variants have been found for:

• depression
• Crohn's disease
• coronary heart disease
• hypertension
• rheumatoid arthritis
• Type I and Type II diabetes

Researchers involved with the studies are optimistic that these discoveries will lead to greater understanding about how diseases develop, who is at risk, and facilitate production of individualized therapies.

Some of the fascinating findings:

• Type I Diabetes and Crohn's disease share a common gene, suggesting similar biological pathways!
• An obesity gene as well as three new genes linked to Type II Diabetes

• The WTCCC used gene chip technology, which is not unlike microchip technology, enabling scientists to scan hundreds of thousands of DNA markers at once.

The WTCC is a UK based research group set up in 2005 with $18 million in funding.

Thank you jurvetson for use of photo Playing with DNA featuring James Watson!