Improving SNP Selection

Extract

At the recent International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research, Timothy Rebbeck, Ph.D., from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, presented a “laundry list” of approaches researchers can use to maximize the efficacy of their association studies.

1. Review the existing experimental data for the gene and the SNPs.

2. Review existing epidemiologic evidence about disease association.

3. Look at the nucleic acid sequence.

4. Look at evolutionary conservation of protein regions and amino acids.

5. If structural information is available for the protein or a related one, look at where the SNPs lie in the structure.

6. Use population genetics information about distribution of the SNPs.