Genetic epidemiologists employ a variety of methods to study the genetic basis of diseases. Some key methods include:
Family Studies: These studies investigate the patterns of disease within families to understand hereditary contributions. Twin Studies: By comparing disease concordance between monozygotic (identical) and dizygotic (fraternal) twins, researchers can estimate the genetic and environmental contributions to a disease. Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS): These studies scan the entire genome to identify genetic variants associated with specific diseases. Linkage Analysis: This method identifies regions of the genome that co-segregate with a disease within families.
