Genetics and Health

Infectious Disease Genetics

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on July 21st, 2005

The Genetics and Public Health Blog primarily focuses on human genetics and, in particular, chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. These are my biases as a genetic epidemiologist trained in cardiovascular disease, more specifically, type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. Aside from the important role our own genes play in preventing or causing disease, our interaction with the environment also makes us susceptible to infections caused by other organisms. The study of the genetics of infectious microorganisms aka pathogenomics, is especially relevant to human health. (EMBO reports 6, 7, 600-605, 2005)

Worldwide, improvements in hygiene and medical care have reduced the number of people who suffer from debilitating infectious diseases. Still, almost 25% of annual deaths worldwide are caused by pathogens, such as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, nosocomial (hospital-based) Staphylococcus and Enterococcus bacterial infections, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), and West Nile viral infection.* And with terrorist threats around the globe, there is fear that the wealth of information on genetics and genomic research freely available online and elsewhere might be used to develop biological weapons, including those that spread anthrax or small pox.

…the recent developments in microbiology, and the use of new technologies provided through genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics, hold great promise for understanding microbial evolution and the nature of infectious processes. This knowledge will certainly pave the way for new therapeutic drugs, vaccines and treatments.

Scientists are rapidly sequencing the genomes of humans, animals, plants, and microorganisms. In a survey of experts in the field of pathogenomics and a review of the literature, researchers concluded that the primary difficulty will not be finding new genes, but rather, what to do with all the data generated by genetic studies. Interpreting genetic data will be the next big step in the genomic revolution.

NB: Genetic counselors and people trained in bioinformatics are sorely needed. See my post, Wanted: Genetic Counselors.

*ETA: Can’t believe I forgot about bird flu. See Bird Flu Pandemic Looms.

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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health