Complex, large-scale genome analysis made easier

Researchers at EMBL-EBI have developed a new approach to studying the effect of multiple genetic variations on different traits. The new algorithm, published in Nature Methods, makes it possible to perform genetic analysis of up to 500,000 individuals - and many traits - at the same time.

The relationship between genes and specific traits is more complicated than simple one-to-one relationships between genes and diseases. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) show that many genetic factors are at play for any given trait, but scientists are just beginning to explore how, specifically, genetic variations affect health and disease. Two major statistical challenges to finding these connections involve analysing associations between many different genetic variants and multiple traits, and making the best use of data from large cohorts that include hundreds of thousands of individuals.

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Complex, large-scale genome analysis made easier

Source: EurekAlert! Science News