Researchers have compared candidate loci in humans and rats in search of loci in the human genome that are likely to contribute to the constellation of factors leading to hypertension [Stoll, M., et al. (2000). Genome Res. 10:473–482]. Through this research, they identified 26 chromosomal regions that they consider likely to contain hypertension genes. How can comparative genomics aid in the identification of genes responsible for such a complex human disease? The researchers state that comparisons of rat and human candidate loci to those in the mouse may help validate their studies. Why might this be so?

Video transcript

Hi everyone. Let's look at the next question investigating human diseases using actual human beings can raise ethical concerns. How does comparative genomics overcome this challenge. Well let's recall what comparative genomics is in this field model organisms are developed to study human diseases by genomic analysis and modification. So you can develop models for human genetic diseases by turning various genes on or off creating say knockout lines um in an animal which has an analogous system. So for instance, rat brains are similar to human brains in many ways. So you could study various neurological conditions by studying the condition in rats. So let's look at our answer choices, noticing that choice D all options are correct. So we might have the possibility of more than one correct answer. Well, again, comparative genomics were comparing something in a model organism to humans. So we instantly are drawn to choice C utilizing model organisms. That's sort of the central tenant of comparative genomics. But we should look at our other answer choices since we do have the option of more than one correct answer choice A says acquiring informed consent from the family. Well informed consent is obviously necessary when doing studies on actual humans, whether from the subject or the family if the subject is not able to consent. But the whole point of comparative genomics is avoiding having to um use actual human beings in research. So that's why that's not the correct answer. Same with choice B which is using only the human non functional systems. Again, comparative genomics uses model organisms rather than studying in humans. So that's why Choice B. Is incorrect, and then obviously, Choice D. All options are correct is not correct. So we choose choice C as our answer. So again, how does comparative genomics overcome the challenge of ethical concerns by using human beings? And that is Choice C. Utilizing model organisms? See you in the next video.