title: The continuing value of twin studies in the omics era.
abstract: The classical twin study has been a powerful heuristic in biomedical, psychiatric and behavioural research for decades. Twin registries worldwide have collected biological material and longitudinal phenotypic data on tens of thousands of twins, providing a valuable resource for studying complex phenotypes and their underlying biology. In this Review, we consider the continuing value of twin studies in the current era of molecular genetic studies. We conclude that classical twin methods combined with novel technologies represent a powerful approach towards identifying and understanding the molecular pathways that underlie complex traits.
authors: Biological Psychology, VU University, Van der Boechorststraat 1, 1081BT, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: van Dongen
authors: P Eline
authors: PE
authors: Slagboom
authors: Harmen H M
authors: HH
authors: Draisma
authors: Nicholas G
authors: NG
authors: Martin
authors: Dorret I
authors: DI
authors: Boomsma
mesh_terms: D057890:Epigenomics; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000235:genetics; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D055432:Metabolomics; D040901:Proteomics; D012042:Registries; D018433:Twin Studies as Topic