Genetic Studies

CDC's Division of Laboratory Sciences (DLS) conducts research, develops methods, and performs analyses by using complex, state-of-the-art molecular techniques for identifying genetic risk factors of public health importance. A variety of diseases have been or are currently the topic of study, including type 1 diabetes and kidney disease, asthma, type 2 diabetes, ischemic stroke, an iron-overload disease known as hemochromatosis, birth defects, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. DLS is also evaluating variations in genes that may influence how people smoke and metabolize the cancer-causing agents in cigarettes.

DLS staff are establishing DNA repositories and performing quality control for CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes Study, the National Birth Defects Prevention, and the Stroke Prevention in Young Women Study. Quality control of the DNA repositories is essential because these collections are used in studies by CDC and researchers worldwide to better understand how genetics relate to disease and health.

For More Information...

• DNA Bank

CDC Resources

• National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)
  National Center for Health Statistics
• National Birth Defects Prevention Study
  National Center for Birth Defects and Development Disabilities

U.S. Federal Government Resources

• Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes Study (GoKinD)
  National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)