Genetic Epidemiology

Question 1

Genetic epidemiologist

Answer 1

Studies genetic and environmental causes of diseases and their interactions

Question 2

Types of disease studied by genetic epidemiologists

Answer 2

Complex disease: genetic and environmental factors

Example: heart disease

Question 3

Progression of research in genetic epidemiology

Answer 3

Heritability: does genetic variation contribute to risk of disease?
Discovery: which genes and alleles are involved?
Translation: do these genetic discoveries lead to clinical or public health benefits?

Question 4

Types of data taken into consideration by genetic epidemiologists

Answer 4

SNPs and GWAS
Epigenetic data (DNA methylation)
Mendelian randomization studies (looking at association between genetic variant, risk factor, and outcome)
Public health data

Question 5

Uses of genetic epidemiological data

Answer 5

Build better models to predict future risk of disease and identify best candidates for intervention
Clarify causal effects of possible modifiable risk factors
Generate new targets for drug development or genetics-guided approaches to prevention and treatment

Question 6

What genetic epidemiologists do

Answer 6

Analyze public health trends
Design and implement research studies into causes of disease
Interpret study results for policy and program development
Translate health data into strategies to prevent disease and promote population health