Applying a new generation of genetic maps to understand human inflammatory disease.
The sequencing of the human genome and the intense study of its variation in different human populations have improved our understanding of the genome's architecture. It is now becoming clear that segments of the genome that are unbroken by reshuffling or recombination during meiosis create a mosaic of DNA 'haplotype blocks'. Here, we discuss the advantages and limitations of this block structure. Haplotype blocks hold the promise of reducing the complexity of analysing the human genome for association with disease. But can they deliver on this promise? First generation maps of these block patterns, such as the admixture and haplotype maps, are now emerging and, it is to be hoped, will accelerate the discovery of alleles that contribute to susceptibility to human inflammatory diseases.
Hafler
David A
DA
Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. dhafler@rics.bwh.harvard.edu
De Jager
Philip L
PL
D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D006239:Haplotypes; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide