Scientists Map Human Metabolism with Groundbreaking Genetic Study
Scientists at the University of Augsburg have generated a groundbreaking genetic map of human metabolism. Using data from nearly half a million individuals through the UK Biobank, the research team has uncovered how certain genes influence disease development and progression. This is the largest such map to date.
The study, published in Nature, identified 29,824 associations between genetic loci and metabolites, mapping to 753 regions. It also found extreme genetic pleiotropy, where genes influence multiple traits and diseases. Notably, the team discovered regulators of lipid metabolism and genes with previously unknown roles in metabolism.
The research sheds light on how metabolites play a role in health and disease. It also highlights the importance of biobanks worldwide in understanding disease risk and identifying genes contributing to metabolic variability. The study's findings are consistent across different ancestries and between men and women.
The University of Augsburg's research group has generated a powerful tool for understanding human metabolism and its relation to disease. By mapping over 29,000 genetic associations, they've opened new avenues for research and potentially, new approaches to disease prevention and treatment.
