Genetics and Genomics for Health Professionals

New Horizons and Research Activities

The ability to explore genome function is expanding clinical opportunities for gene-based pre-symptomatic prediction of illness and adverse drug response. Genetic researchers are now learning more about how each gene works and what it does. They are studying the role that variations in genes play in disease. Genetic researchers are working to identify the genetic and environmental causes of common illnesses such as asthma, arthritis and Alzheimer disease. The results of such studies are leading to many advances in disease prevention and treatment. Learn more about new directions in clinical research from the resources provided in this section.

Clinical Research

At the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
At the National Institutes of Health
  • ClinicalTrials.gov [clinicaltrials.gov]
    ClinicalTrials.gov is a registry of federally and privately supported clinical trials conducted in the United States and around the world. ClinicalTrials.gov provides information about a trial's purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details.

  • National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center [clinicalcenter.nih.gov]
    The Clinical Center at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, is the nation's largest hospital devoted entirely to clinical research. It is a national resource that makes it possible to rapidly translate scientific observations and laboratory discoveries into new approaches for diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease.

  • Genome-Wide Association Studies
    A genome-wide association study is an approach that involves rapidly scanning markers across the complete sets of DNA, or genomes, of many people to find genetic variations associated with a particular disease. Once new genetic associations are identified, researchers can use the information to develop better strategies to detect, treat and prevent the disease.

  • Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN)
    NIH, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Pfizer Global Research & Development and others have formed a public-private partnership, the Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN), to fund genome-wide association studies. After peer-review of applications, GAIN announced its first round of studies in October 2006. The initial studies include bipolar disorder, major depression, kidney disease in type 1 diabetes, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia and psoriasis.

  • Genes, Environment and Health Initiative (GEI)
    The Genes, Environment and Health Initiative (GEI) is another NIH program specifically designed to support genome-wide association studies. The initiative adds a unique component that speeds up development of environmental exposure technology to produce new tools to study the interaction of genes and the environment.

  • The Cancer Genome Anatomy Project (CGAP)
    The goal of the NCI's Cancer Genome Anatomy Project is to determine the gene expression profiles of normal, precancer, and cancer cells, leading eventually to improved detection, diagnosis, and treatment for the patient. By collaborating with scientists worldwide, CGAP seeks to increase its scientific expertise and expand its databases for the benefit of all cancer researchers.

  • The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)
    The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) is a comprehensive and coordinated effort to accelerate our understanding of the molecular basis of cancer through the application of genome analysis technologies, including large-scale genome sequencing.

  • Pharmacogenomics Research - Pharmacogenetics and Pharmacogenomics Database [pharmgkb.org]
    PharmGKB curates information that establishes knowledge about the relationships among drugs, diseases and genes, including their variations and gene products. Our mission is to catalyze pharmacogenomics research.

Top of page

Last Reviewed: February 27, 2012