Atlas of immune cells explains how genetic variants cause disease
Researchers have developed a new method to link disease-associated genetic variants to the specific genes they regulate by analyzing chromatin accessibility in immune cells. This atlas helps prioritize genetic markers that contribute to conditions like Alzheimer's, asthma, and various cancers.
Why it matters
This research provides a roadmap for drug discovery by identifying the biological mechanisms behind genetic disease risks.
by Sarah C.P. Williams, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
edited by Gaby Clark , reviewed by Robert Egan
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:
Add as preferred source Credit: Susanna Hamilton, Broad Communications Scientists have identified thousands of genetic differences that change a person's risk of disease, but working out how they actually affect biology—an important step toward creating new treatments—has been much more challenging. One reason is that many of the genetic variants associated with disease aren't found in genes themselves, but within the vast stretches of DNA that regulate gene activity.
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