Autism Consortium releases data on genes involved in autism to researchers...(eChip microarray technology made by Affy...),Health

Date:10/22/2007

eChip microarray technology made by Affymetrix Inc, of Santa Clara, California, in their search for autism spectrum disorder-related genes. The Affymetrix 500K Array offers a comprehensive view of the genome, enabling researchers to analyze 500,000 markers simultaneously and perform whole-genome analyses in large populations. The Affymetrix microarray chips were processed by researchers in the Broad Institute's Genetic Analysis Platform.

These tools enable researchers to search across the entire genome for areas of deletions or duplications of genetic material or for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), small changes in the DNA sequence. Daly, a statistical geneticist, and his colleagues wrote two mathematical algorithms to analyze the genome scan for specific genes involved in autism spectrum disorders, or for the absence of genes that ought to be present. Among other things, the Autism Consortiums Gene Discovery Group found what they believe may be important new information on the genes involved in autism spectrum disorders. The next step is to conduct an association analysis to determine the role that the genetic variations identified in the scan play in autism spectrum disorders.

According to Daly, the speed at which he collected genome wide data from such a large sample could not have been accomplished without the funding or the collaboration from the Autuism Consortium, which contributed the $1 million needed to complete the project saving the researchers months or years seeking grants. The grant was made possible through a gift from the Anne and Paul Marcus Family Foundation which provided the funds for the Gene Association Study as well as for the purchase of the entire set of samples from AGRE.

Autism spectrum disorders present major challenges for families, communities, and the health care system, said Peter Barrett, president of the Autism Consortium. Our job is to accelerate new ways to diagnose and treat autism spectrum d
'/>"/>

Contact: Kathryn Morris kathryn@kmorrispr.com 845-635-9828 The Autism Consortium Source:Eurekalert

1 GOOD

Page: 1 2 3 4
Related medicine news :

1. Antibiotics Helps Autism
2. Early diagnosis for autism from blood tests may be possible
3. Latest discovery on Autism
4. Resolving Autism
5. Studying The Causes Of Autism
6. Mercury Pollution Linked To Rise In Autism
7. Early identification of autism possible
8. Autism risks linked to birth factors
9. Autism epidemic is a myth- says a new study
10. Treating Autism More Effectively
11. MMR Vaccination not linked to Autism