Human disease search starts with chimpanzees

Chimps are to be enlisted in the search for genes that cause diseases in humans and that have so far eluded scientists.

A novel approach of comparing chimpanzees to humans may allow scientists to identify the genes involved in complex genetic diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease and mental illness.

The importance of using novel strategies in the hunt for these genes has been demonstrated by Professor Sue Wilson of the Centre for Bioinformation Science (CBiS).

Professor Wilson has developed a mathematical proof that shows current approaches to finding these disease susceptibility genes would fail in many cases.

"One reason is that the usual search strategy is based on the assumption that each disease is largely due to the effect of a single gene", Professor Wilson said.

Using a mathematical model, Wilson found that when more than one gene was involved, false results were likely for some of the most widely used gene mapping approaches.

Dr Gavin Huttley and Professor Simon Eastel also of CBiS "“ a joint initiative between the School of Mathematical Sciences and the John Curtin Scholl of Medical Research "“ are working on such an approach, combining genetic data with their knowledge of evolution to help identify likely groups of interacting genes.

Dr Huttley said that, by targeting the more likely genes, they could reduce the complexity of the search for disease susceptibility genes to a more manageable level.

It is believed that there is a link between human evolution and the genetic basis of common diseases.

"There is a strong evolutionary imprint in the genes of each species that we can use to look for these important genes." Dr Huttley said

He said the chimpanzees were an invaluable comparison point because they were more like us than any other species.

"By looking at the subtle differences between chimps and humans we can discover what it is that makes us unique."

Item provided courtesy of the ANU Reporter.