Candidate genes are typically selected based on: 1. Biological Plausibility: Genes involved in disease-related pathways or biological processes. 2. Previous Research: Findings from previous genetic studies, such as genome-wide association studies (GWAS). 3. Positional Cloning: Genes located in chromosomal regions linked to the disease in linkage studies. 4. Animal Models: Genes identified through studies in animal models that mimic human diseases.