Commentary

Modifier genes and variation in cystic fibrosis

Mitchell L Drumm

Department of Pediatrics, Department of Genetics, and the Institute for Human Genetics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

author email corresponding author email

Respiratory Research 2001, 2:125-128doi:10.1186/rr47

Published:	23 March 2001

Abstract

The availability of molecular tools to carry out genotyping has led to a flurry of association studies between specific genes and clinical indices of disease or disease susceptibility. Human studies, for the most part, have a limited number of subjects available, precluding whole genome types of approaches. 'Candidate gene' strategies have consequently become widespread, probably in part due to the inherent similarity to clinical association studies. Such studies in cystic fibrosis have found tantalizing results in genes involved in infection and inflammation, but many other relevant pathways remain untapped. Genome scanning approaches may eventually uncover genes not currently recognized as important to cystic fibrosis. In the meantime, while thousands of polymorphisms are cataloged and other genomic resources become more available, the number of association studies with candidate genes will no doubt increase. To make sense of these studies, the choice of gene and phenotype must be carefully considered.