Genomic medicine, gene polymorphisms, and human biological diversity.
There is considerable variation in the prevalence of comorbid conditions such as malnutrition, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and bone disease among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Besides traditional risk factors, these differences also arise from variability in genetic factors and gene-environment interactions. Recent publication of the human genome sequence through the Human Genome and Celera projects has provided a major impetus to the field of molecular genetics and genomic medicine. This review provides a broad overview of recent developments in this field, basic information and terminology in common use, and explores the impact of genetic variations or polymorphisms on human biological diversity.
Balakrishnan
Vaidyanathapuram S
VS
Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA. vbalakrishnan@tufts-nemc.org
Rao
Madhumathi
M
Jaber
Bertrand L
BL
D044822:Biodiversity; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D015894:Genome, Human; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide