Sample interview questions: How do you approach investigating the role of genetics in complex diseases?
Sample answer:
Approaching the Investigation of Genetic Roles in Complex Diseases:
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Identify target diseases and collect extensive phenotypic data: Collaborate with clinicians and epidemiologists to identify complex diseases of interest and gather detailed patient information, including clinical history, lifestyle factors, and environmental exposures.
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Perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS): Conduct large-scale genetic studies to identify common variants that are associated with disease risk. GWAS can reveal susceptibility alleles and provide insights into disease mechanisms.
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Identify candidate genes and variants: Analyze GWAS results to identify candidate genes and specific variants that may contribute to disease susceptibility. Validate these findings through replication studies and functional analyses.
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Study gene-environment interactions: Investigate how genetic factors interact with environmental exposures to modify disease risk. Conduct studies to assess the combined effects of genetic variants and exposures such as diet, smoking, or pollution.
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Link genetic variants to biological pathways: Use bioinformatics tools and experimental data to identify the biological pathways and cellular processes that are affected … Read full answer