Yeager, M., et al. [(2007) Nature Genetics 39:645–649] and Sladek, R., et al. [(2007) Nature 445:881–885] have used single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify novel risk loci for prostate cancer and Type 2 diabetes, respectively. Each study suggests that disease-risk genes can be identified that significantly contribute to the disease state. Given your understanding of such complex diseases, what would you determine as reasonable factors to consider when interpreting the results of GWAS?

Video transcript

Hey, everyone. Let's take a look at this question together, which genetic marker is commonly used in genome wide association studies. So let's recall what we know about genome wide association studies to figure out which of the following genetic markers it commonly used. So we know that genome wide association studies uses a genetic marker to determine rates like major human diseases. And that genetic marker that it commonly uses are single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs. Answer choice B, which is the correct answer because we know that single nucleotide polymorphisms or SNPs refer to the genomic variant at a single base position within the D N A. And so genome wide association studies commonly uses these single nucleotide polymorphisms to determine traits like major human diseases. No answer. Choice B is the correct answer. I hope you found this video to be helpful. Thank you and goodbye.