Many common human diseases have a multifactorial origin: they are influenced by a person's genetic predisposition as well as by factors in the environment. This volume deals with the application of recombinant DNA techniques to the identification of diseases that have more than one inherited component. Focus is on the polygenic factors responsible for coronary atherosclerosis. Several other disorders having a polygenic origin are also discussed, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, psychiatric diseases, and autoimmune (HLA-related) disorders. Problems raised by the study of different families or different populations are covered, as well as the possibility of applying molecular techniques to disease prevention–for example, through gene therapy. Also, some of the ethical issues that relate to human gene mapping are briefly explored.

научно-популярная литература

микробиология

Molecular Approaches to Human Polygenic Disease

Novel Infectious Agents and the Central Nervous System

Anaphylaxis

Molecular Control of Haemopoiesis

Autism

Sensory Guidance of Movement

The Nature and Origin of Amyloid Fibrils

Growth Factors as Drugs for Neurological and Sensory Disorders

Transport and Trafficking in the Malaria-Infected Erythrocyte

Fatty Acid and Lipotoxicity in Obesity and Diabetes

Higher-Order Processing in the Visual System