Metabolic
Syndrome
GEMS (Genetic Epidemiology of Metabolic Sydrome)
The GEMS project is a multicenter family study designed
to uncover the genetic basis of the metabolic syndrome. The essential
components of the GEMS project are the recruitment of 1500 families
that have clinical manifestation (high blood triglycerides, low levels
of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) - the so-called "good cholesterol"
- high blood pressure and glucose intolerance) of the metabolic syndrome
and the sequencing of DNA to identify the genetic basis of this syndrome.
An extensive questionnaire and blood samples are collected from individuals
with high trigycerides and low HDL-cholesterol and their relatives.
As of March 2003, 3,300 in 520 families have been collected.
The data from the collection sites will be collated
for unified analysis here at the Genetics Program. The analytical methods
that will be carried out will include linkage analysis (affected sib-pair
analysis), association studies (TDT, s-TDT), and gene-gene, gene-environmental
actions.
Key Personnel
John Farrell, Systems Analyst
