title: The Newfoundland population: a unique resource for genetic investigation of complex diseases.
abstract: The population of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador is genetically isolated. This isolation is evidenced by an overabundance of several monogenic disorders. The Newfoundland population, like that of other isolates, is now the focus of interest for identification of genes implicated in common diseases. However, the utility of such populations for this purpose remains unproven. In this paper, we review the current genetic architecture of the province, with respect to geographic isolation, homogeneity, founder effect, genetic drift and extended linkage disequilibrium. Based on these factors, we propose that the population of Newfoundland offers many advantages for genetic mapping of common diseases, compared with admixed populations, and even compared with other isolates.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada. prahman@mun.ca
authors.forename: Proton
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bartlett
authors.forename: Lynette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peddle
authors.forename: Bridget A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Nelson B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Freimer
mesh_terms: D018703:Founder Effect; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D015810:Linkage Disequilibrium; D009523:Newfoundland and Labrador