Approved Research

A deep analysis of genetic and phenotype data in common diseases across ethnicities

Lay summary

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are useful in identifying genetic variants associated with human diseases. A  polygenic risk score (PRS) uses this the results from GWAS analysis for assigning a risk score for an individual. The genetic risk only one part of the story. Various clinical/biochemical parameters as well as life-style and food habits contribute to the risk of developing the common disease. By integrating the genetic and non-genetic factors we will be able to get the absolute risk score for a disease and one can monitor how the risk for getting a disease increases or decreases by changing the life-style, food habits or through medications. This can be very useful because the genetic risk cannot be altered (in general), however lifestyle modifications ill alter the risk of getting a common disease such as type 2 diabetes or coronary artery disease. This is the next step towards preventive wellness using genetics. This new knowledge will lead to the development of new diagnosis, prevention and hopefully the identification of medicinal drugs, and improve the public health.