title: The role of twin studies in the genetics of skin diseases.
abstract: With advances in molecular biology and statistical techniques, gene discovery is moving at a fast pace. Most skin diseases have a complex mode of inheritance and the twin design is the ideal model to dissect the genetic architecture. Use of the twin pairings in a variety of ways for associations and linkage studies can enhance gene discovery. This review covers the advantages and limitations of the twin method.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Royal London and St Bartholomew's School of Medicine and Dentistry, and Dermatology and Twin Research and Genetic Epidemiology Units, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. v.bataille@icrf.icnet.uk
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bataille
mesh_terms: D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D004777:Environment; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008040:Genetic Linkage / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology; D012107:Research Design; D012873:Skin Diseases, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic; D014427:Twins / Q000235:genetics*; D014429:Twins, Dizygotic / Q000235:genetics; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic / Q000235:genetics