Genetics and Health

First African-American Genome Scan

by Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD on October 9th, 2006

Boston University and Howard University will be performing the first genome-wide scan focusing on African American DNA, specifically looking for genes associated with obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The Affymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 500K Array Set is the technology that makes it all possible.

Dr. Charles Rotimi of Howard University:

African Americans tend to have a higher frequency of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome than European Americans. Through this first study, we hope to determine the genes associated with these complex diseases and discover how they may interact with different environmental factors, so we can develop more effective treatments for all Americans and people around the world.

Genetic Engineering News, October 9, 2006

Technorati Tags: african americans, blacks, genome scan, genomics, genome, genetics, dna, diseases, health, illness, affymetrix, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome

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POSTED IN: General Genetics and Health, Genetic Ingenuity