Xiaofeng Zhu, professor in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at the School of Medicine, led research published in Nature Communications titled “An approach to identify gene-environment interactions and reveal new biological insight in complex traits.”
These latest findings highlight the significant impact of environmental factors, specifically cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, on the influence of genetic loci on serum lipid levels. By identifying five genetic loci, the study underscores how these loci interact with lifestyle choices, leading to variations in serum lipid profiles across different populations.
This research also sheds light on the complex interplay between genetics and environment, emphasizing the importance of considering lifestyle factors when studying genetic predispositions to certain traits or diseases.
Understanding how environmental factors modulate the effects of genetic variants can provide crucial insights into disease susceptibility and inform personalized healthcare approaches tailored to individuals’ unique genetic and lifestyle profiles.