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Gene‐environment interplay in common complex diseases: forging an integrative model—recommendations from an NIH workshop
Author(s) -
Bookman Ebony B.,
McAllister Kimberly,
Gillanders Elizabeth,
Wanke Kay,
Balshaw David,
Rutter Joni,
Reedy Jill,
Shaughnessy Daniel,
AgursCollins Tanya,
Paltoo Dina,
Atienza Audie,
Bierut Laura,
Kraft Peter,
Fallin M. Daniele,
Perera Frederica,
Turkheimer Eric,
Boardman Jason,
Marazita Mary L.,
Rappaport Stephen M.,
Boerwinkle Eric,
Suomi Stephen J.,
Caporaso Neil E.,
HertzPicciotto Irva,
Jacobson Kristen C.,
Lowe William L.,
Goldman Lynn R.,
Duggal Priya,
Gunnar Megan R.,
Manolio Teri A.,
Green Eric D.,
Olster Deborah H.,
Birnbaum Linda S.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
genetic epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.301
H-Index - 98
eISSN - 1098-2272
pISSN - 0741-0395
DOI - 10.1002/gepi.20571
Subject(s) - variety (cybernetics) , gene–environment interaction , strengths and weaknesses , disease , data science , harmonization , quality (philosophy) , risk analysis (engineering) , psychology , computational biology , management science , engineering ethics , biology , computer science , medicine , genetics , engineering , gene , artificial intelligence , social psychology , philosophy , physics , epistemology , pathology , genotype , acoustics
Although it is recognized that many common complex diseases are a result of multiple genetic and environmental risk factors, studies of gene‐environment interaction remain a challenge and have had limited success to date. Given the current state‐of‐the‐science, NIH sought input on ways to accelerate investigations of gene‐environment interplay in health and disease by inviting experts from a variety of disciplines to give advice about the future direction of gene‐environment interaction studies. Participants of the NIH Gene‐Environment Interplay Workshop agreed that there is a need for continued emphasis on studies of the interplay between genetic and environmental factors in disease and that studies need to be designed around a multifaceted approach to reflect differences in diseases, exposure attributes, and pertinent stages of human development. The participants indicated that both targeted and agnostic approaches have strengths and weaknesses for evaluating main effects of genetic and environmental factors and their interactions. The unique perspectives represented at the workshop allowed the exploration of diverse study designs and analytical strategies, and conveyed the need for an interdisciplinary approach including data sharing, and data harmonization to fully explore gene‐environment interactions. Further, participants also emphasized the continued need for high‐quality measures of environmental exposures and new genomic technologies in ongoing and new studies. Genet. Epidemiol . 35: 217‐225, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.