Genetic differences between individuals come in big chunks just like
self-assembly furniture. While studying the bowel disorder Crohn’s disease, Mark
Daly, Eric Lander and their team at the Whitehead Genome Center in Boston found
that genetic defects which make people susceptible to the disease lie in
clusters or “haplotypes” at specific regions on chromosomes. They urge
biologists to make a comprehensive map of these DNA chunks to help doctors spot
patients at high risk of any disease with a genetic link (Nature
Genetics, vol 29, p 223 and p 229).
To continue reading, today with our introductory offers
Advertisement
More from New ÒÁÈ˾þÃ
Explore the latest news, articles and features

Life
New ÒÁÈ˾þà recommends a brilliant take on the evolution of birds
Culture

Environment
Striking photos show how sands are encroaching on oases in the Sahara
Regulars

Comment
Think you have a good sense of humour? So do most people…
Regulars

Comment
Sci-fi horror film Backrooms is a triumph for its 20-year-old director
Culture
Popular articles
Trending New ÒÁÈ˾þà articles
1
Fully autonomous drones have killed human soldiers for the first time
2
Millions of fossil whale bones found in deep-ocean ‘necropolis’
3
A nuclear war between India and Pakistan could destroy the ozone layer
4
Robots are about to overtake armed soldiers as the deciders of war
5
What is a ‘normal’ memory slowdown, and when should I worry?
6
Unpicking endometriosis reveals how it affects more than the pelvis
7
Understanding anorexia’s grip on the brain could unlock new therapies
8
Think you have a good sense of humour? So do most people…
9
Why you need to future-proof your brain in middle age and how to start
10
Mysterious ‘cold blob’ in the Atlantic suggests the AMOC is weakening