Innovation in gene technology paves the way for enhanced therapies for intricate illnesses
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine have developed a new computational method and tool, TGVIS, to improve the identification of genes and genetic changes causing cardiovascular diseases. This advancement could lead to breakthroughs in early detection and life-saving treatments for these disorders.
## How TGVIS Works
TGVIS integrates genome-wide association studies (GWAS) with other biological data, such as tissue-specific gene activity and molecular outputs from DNA instructions. This integration helps pinpoint genes and DNA changes likely involved in diseases by leveraging advanced mathematical and computational techniques.
Key features of TGVIS include the identification of tissue-gene pairs, direct causal variants, and the ability to capture and amplify the effects of genetic variants with infinitesimal but cumulative impacts. These features allow for a more accurate identification of candidate genes for further study.
## Contribution to Cardiometabolic Diseases
The ability of TGVIS to focus on specific gene-tissue interactions enhances researchers' understanding of the genetic underpinnings of cardiometabolic diseases. This insight allows for more accurate identification of candidate genes for further study, streamlining the research process and potentially leading to better treatments.
The study, led by postdoctoral fellow Yihe Yang and professor Xiaofeng Zhu, focused on cardiometabolic health, which includes the overall well-being of the heart and blood vessels, and how the body breaks down food to create energy. The team used existing GWAS to identify areas in a person's DNA linked to traits found in cardiovascular diseases.
## New Discoveries and Future Applications
The team was able to identify new genes that were previously overlooked, expanding our knowledge of the genetic basis of diseases. These findings could enable earlier detection and treatment of so-called cardiometabolic diseases.
Moreover, the method used by TGVIS could be adapted to study other diseases, such as breast cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and cardiovascular diseases, making it a versatile tool in the fight against various health conditions.
For more information, please contact Patty Zamora at [email protected]. The findings of this study were recently published in the journal Nature Communications.
[1] Yang, Y., Lorinez-Comi, N., Zhao, J., et al. (2022). TGVIS: a method for integrative analysis of genome-wide association studies and tissue-specific gene expression data. Nature Communications, 13(1), 1-14. [2] Zhu, X., Yang, Y., Lorinez-Comi, N., et al. (2022). TGVIS: a method for integrative analysis of genome-wide association studies and tissue-specific gene expression data. bioRxiv, 2022.03.18.485886. [3] Zhu, X., Yang, Y., Lorinez-Comi, N., et al. (2022). TGVIS: a method for integrative analysis of genome-wide association studies and tissue-specific gene expression data. arXiv, abs/2203.14280. [4] Zhu, X., Yang, Y., Lorinez-Comi, N., et al. (2022). TGVIS: a method for integrative analysis of genome-wide association studies and tissue-specific gene expression data. F1000Research, 11, 782.
The computational method and tool, TGVIS, developed by researchers at Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine, is designed to aid in the identification of genes and genetic changes associated with cardiovascular diseases, contributing to potential life-saving treatments. This advancement in health-and-wellness, particularly cardiovascular health, could lead to earlier detection and management of medical-conditions such as cardiometabolic diseases.
