Genes linked to brittle bone identified.Byline: ANI Melbourne, Oct 7 (ANI): Scientists from University of Western Australia claim to have identified new genes tied to loss of bone mineral density bone mineral density n. See bone density. bone mineral density A measurement of bone mass, expressed as the amount of mineral–in grams divided by the area scanned in cm2. See Bone densitometry. and osteoporosis. According to molecular geneticist ge·net·i·cist n. A specialist in genetics. geneticist a specialist in genetics. geneticist and study author Associate Professor Scott Wilson of the University of Western Australia, low bone mineral density is the strongest predictor of osteoporotic fracture. He suggests that the new finding may lead to a diagnostic test in the not too distant future. The researchers analysed the data from five previous smaller studies with the help of high tech 'gene chips'. While looking at the sample of each participant's DNA DNA: see nucleic acid. DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid One of two types of nucleic acid (the other is RNA); a complex organic compound found in all living cells and many viruses. It is the chemical substance of genes. and bone mineral density, they found 20 genetic regions, known as loci loci [L.] plural of locus. loci Plural of locus, see there , with a strong association to bone mineral density. Wilson said it is the technology of the gene chips that has really revolutionised the study of genes. "It's amazing that we came up with so many loci with such convincing evidence," ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. Science quoted Wilson as saying. "One in three women and one in five men have a lifetime risk of developing osteoporosis," he added. Wilson said of the 20 loci found to have a strong association, 13 were identified for the first time. He hopes the study will help scientists develop a diagnostic kit to identify individuals genetically susceptible to osteoporosis. The study appears in Nature Genetics. (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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