Blood counts may provide clues to human disease.London, Oct 12 (ANI): Researchers claim to have uncovered the basis of genetic variations vital to the formation of blood cells blood cells,n.pl the formed elements of the blood, including red cells (erythrocytes), white cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). blood cells See erythrocyte and leukocyte. Platelets are classed separately. , which can have a significant impact on common human diseases. Blood measurements, including the number and volume of cells in the blood, are routinely used to diagnose a wide range of disorders, including anaemia anaemia see anemia. , infection and blood cell cancers. In the new study involving 14,000 individuals, researchers from UK and Germany measured the haemoglobin haemoglobin or US hemoglobin Noun a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the tissues [Greek haima blood + Latin globus ball] Noun 1. concentration, the count and volume of red and white cells and the sticky cells that prevent bleeding - platelets. They found 22 regions of the human genome implicated im·pli·cate tr.v. im·pli·cat·ed, im·pli·cat·ing, im·pli·cates 1. To involve or connect intimately or incriminatingly: evidence that implicates others in the plot. 2. in the development of these blood cells, of which 15 were previously unknown. "This unique collaboration has allowed us to discover novel genetic determinants of blood cell parameters, providing important insights into novel biological mechanisms underlying the formation of blood cells by the blood stem cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young and their role in disease," Nature Genetics quoted Dr Nicole Soranzo, group leader at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and co-lead of the HaemGen consortium as saying. The researchers further compared the regions of human genome implicated in blood cell development with regions associated with risk of heart disease. They found that one of the genetic variants associated with platelet counts causes an increased risk of heart disease. The new variant was found in a region of the genome already known to influence the risk of hypertension, coeliac disease and diabetes in children and young adults, or so-called type 1 diabetes type 1 diabetes n. See diabetes mellitus. . "Further characterisation of the regions uncovered in this study has the potential to improve our understanding of how blood cell development is linked with human diseases, including blood cell cancers," said Soranzo. (ANI) Copyright 2009 Asian News International The Asian News International (ANI) agency provides multimedia news to China and 50 bureaus in India. It covers virtually all of South Asia since its foundation and presently claims, on its official website, to be the leading South Asia-wide news agency. (ANI) - All Rights Reserved. Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company |
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