Gene-Environment Interactions Fundamentals of Ecogenetics

About this book

Ecogenetics can be defined as the study of genetic determinants that dictate susceptibility to environmentally-influenced adverse health effects. The explosion in new, high throughput techniques for identifying genetic variants, coupled with the realization that the majority of human diseases arise through a complex interplay of genetics and environment has led to remarkable growth and interest in the field of ecogenetics. The first section of this book covers fundamental aspects of ecogenetic, such as history of the discipline, a discussion of the molecular tools currently available to assess genotypes and their pros and cons, the use of such measurements in molecular epidemiology studies, and considerations on how knowledge acquired in pharmacogenetics can be applied to ecogenetics. The second section discusses key genetic polymorphisms relevant for ecogenetics. The third section presents a disease-based approach, to address the question of how genetic polymorphisms can influence gene-environment interactions relevant to determining susceptibility to the disease. These core chapterss address various types of cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity.

Contents

Foreword.Acknowledgments.Contributors.PART I.Chapter 1. Introduction (Lucio G. Costa and David L. Eaton).Chapter 2. Ecogenetics: Historical Perspectives (Gilbert S. Omenn and Arno G. Motulsky).Chapter 3. Tools of Ecogenetics (Theo K. Bammler, Federico M. Farin, and Richard P. Beyer).Chapter 4. Epidemiologic Approaches (Harvey Checkoway, Parveen Bhatti, and Anneclaire De Roos).Chapter 5. Statistical Issues in Ecogenetic Studies (Stephanie A. Monks).PART II.Chapter 6. Overview of Section II (Lucio G. Costa and David L. Eaton).Chapter 7. Polymorphisms in Cytochrome P450 and Flavin-Containing Monooxygenase Genes (Catherine K.Yeung, Allan E. Rettie, and Kenneth E. Thummel)Chapter 8. Polymorphisms in Xenobiotic Conjugation (Helen E. Smith, David L. Eaton, and Theo K. Bammler).Chapter 9. Paraoxonase, Butyrylcholinesterase, and Epoxide Hydrolase (Lucio G. Costa, Toby B. Cole, Gary K. Geiss, and Clement E. Furlong).Chapter 10. DNA Repair Enzymes (Jon P. Anderson and Lawrence A. Loeb).Chapter 11. Receptors and Ion Channels (Lucio G. Costa).PART III.Chapter 12. Overview of Section III (Lucio G. Costa and David L. Eaton).Chapter 13. Lung Cancer (Valle Nazar-Stewart).Chapter 14. Gastrointestinal Cancers (Thomas L.Vaughan).Chapter 15. Neurodegenerative Diseases (Samir N. Kelada, Harvey Checkoway, and Lucio G. Costa).Chapter 16. Cardiovascular Disease (Melissa A.Austin and Stephen M. Schwartz).Chapter 17. Type 2 Diabetes (Karen L. Edwards).Chapter 18. Infectious Disease Ecogenetics (David R. Sherman).Chapter 19. Genetic Variation, Diet, and Disease Susceptibility (Johanna W. Lampe and John D. Potter).Chapter 20. Genetic Determinants of Addiction to Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drugs of Abuse (Andrew J. Saxon).PART IV.Chapter 21. Overview of Section IV (Lucio G. Costa and David L. Eaton).Chapter 22. Ethical Issues in Ecogenetics (Kelly Fryer-Edwards, Lindsay A. Hampson, Christopher R. Carlsten, and Wylie Burke).Chapter 23. Social and Psychological Aspects of Ecogenetics (Deborah Bowen, Shirley Beresford, and Brenda Diergaarde).Chapter 24. Legal Issues (Kate Battuello and Anna Mastroianni).Chapter 25. Risk Assessment and the Impact of Ecogenetics (Elaine M. Faustman and Gilbert S. Omenn).Bibliography.Index.

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Biography

Lucio G. Costa, Ph.D., is professor of environmental health and toxicology at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine. He is also director of the NIEHS-sponsored Neurotoxicology Research Core at the Center in Ecogenetics and Environmental Health. His research is focused on the study of the cellular, biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in neurotoxicity using biochemical, molecular and imaging techniques. David L. Eaton is Professor of Environmental Health and Associate Dean for Research in the School of Public Health and Community Medicine at the University of Washington. He serves as Director of the Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health, and is also Deputy Director for a major NIEHS-sponsored research initiative in the area of toxicogenomics. Dr. Eaton's research interests focus on understanding how subtle genetic differences between individuals and species can result in potentially large differences in susceptibility to chemical carcinogens.