Interpreting humanity's genes.

ABSTRACT

Genetic medicine is said to be entering another era. Recent technological developments such as high resolution array techniques and next-generation sequencing have dramatically increased the power of genetic testing. However, the function of the majority of genes remains unknown. The complex interactions underpinning gene expression in humans can be studied only in part by laboratory and animal studies, and will require studies in humans. Consequently, observational studies which systematically record human phenotype data are urgently needed to interpret molecular genetic variation.