National Human Genome Research Institute | National Institutes of Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services |
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Inherited Disease Research BranchThe Inherited Disease Research Branch (IDRB) develops and applies new methods and tools to identify the genetic contribution to human disease- particularly in common, complex disorders. IDRB investigators are statistical geneticists, a subspecialty of genetics that combines statistics, molecular genetics, and computer science to identify genetic variants responsible for increased susceptibility to disease. The IDRB also serves as NHGRI's link to the Center for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR), a federally supported facility located at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore that provides high-throughput genotyping to scientists at NIH and at research institutions around the country and the world. Statistical genetics will become increasingly important in the coming years, particularly given availability of increasing amounts of genomic data being amassed from individuals. Moreover, the rapidly growing number of known single - nucleotide polymorphisms and the planned development of a haplotype map of the entire human genome will give the discipline opportunities - and data - it has never had before. IDRB scientists, therefore, are developing new statistical theories and software to analyze data sets in large-scale genetic association and linkage studies, and they are using these innovative approaches to distinguish genuine genetic influences from random background noise. Co-Chiefs and Senior InvestigatorsJoan E. Bailey-Wilson, Ph.D. Alexander F. Wilson, Ph.D. Charles N. Rotimi, Ph.D. Related Research Project Web SitesGenometric Analysis Simulation Program (GASP) [research.nhgri.nih.gov] Affiliated Research CentersCenter for Inherited Disease Research (CIDR) [cidr.jhmi.edu]
Last Reviewed: January 28, 2009 |
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