New Genetic Map Used to Further Drug Research

Using what is already known about genomics and genetic variations, researchers can pinpoint a person's geographic origins in Europe within a range of only a few hundred kilometers. Moreover, the increasing precision of that genetic map can help researchers better determine the role genes play in the development of diseases.

Focusing completely on genetic variations, researchers developed algorithms that could predict geographic origin--even the origin of specific ethnic groups inside Switzerland. GlaxoSmithKline (London, UK) participated in the study so it could gain a more precise determination of the role pharmacogenetics could play in understanding the genetic risks posed by drugs.

"They are interested in pharmacogenetic purposes to do case control studies of adverse drug reactions,” said Dr. John Novembre, a researcher from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA, USA) and coauthor of the study, which was published in the August 31, 2008, issue of the journal Nature.

"The idea is to save money in these large-scale genetic epidemiological studies,” said Dr. Michael Krawczak, from the Institut für Medizinische Informatik und Statistik Brunswiker (Kiel, Germany), who took part in a similar recent study. "It's very costly to genotype people.” However, according to Dr. Krawczak, if genetic control groups are established, a drug can be tested against populations to understand where the greatest benefits lie.

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