Professor Xuejun Zhang
1Institute of Dermatology and Department of Dermatology at No.1 Hospital, Anhui MedicalUniversity, Hefei, Anhui 230022, China.
2Key Laboratory of Dermatology (Anhui Medical University), Ministry of Education, China, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
Previously, we performed genetic epidemiological study, family-based linkage study, fine mapping study and candidate gene association study to search for the susceptibility gene/loci of complex diseases. However, these approaches have their limitations in terms of seeking susceptibility genes for complex diseases due to its genetic heterogeneity and phenotype complexity. Now GWAS have been proved to be a powerful approach for the identification of susceptibility genes for common diseases and great progress has been made by GWAS, although it also has its limitations. We have been endeavoring in studying the genetics and susceptibility genes for complex diseases. To fully explore the genetic basis of complex diseases, we can rely on GWAS of SNP and CNV, whole genome sequencing, exome sequencing, whole genome epigenetics, whole genome transcript and whole genome expression and so on. Through deep disease susceptibility genes research, plus what we learn from the function and mechanism studies, we could get a chance to find clinical predictor and to elucidate disease pathogenesis. It will be very useful for disease diagnosis, prediction, risk evaluation and prevention and treatment. The ultimate goals are to develop new drug for treatment and finally make personalized medicine come true. Herein, I would like to give an overall introduction what we have done and learned during seeking susceptibility genes for complex diseases.