Genetic Effects on Environmental Vulnerability to Disease: Novartis Foundation Symposium 293

Much research has attempted to show direct linear relations between genes and disorder. However, scientists have been discouraged by inconsistent findings based on this simple gene-phenotype approach. The alternative approach is to incorporate information about the environment. A gene-environment interaction approach assumes that environmental pathogens cause disorder, whereas genes influence susceptibility to environmental pathogens. This book brings together contributions from experts from multiple disciplines who discuss: How epidemiological cohort studies can better integrate physiological (mechanistic) measures; How best to characterise subjects’ vulnerability versus resilience by moving beyond single genetic polymorphisms; How gene hunters can benefit from recruiting samples selected for known exposures; How environmental pathogens can be used as tools for gene hunting; How to deal with potential spurious (statistical) interactions, and How genes can help explain fundamental demographic properties of disorders (e.g. sex distribution, age effects). Content: Chapter 1 Introduction: Whither Gene–Environment Interactions? (pages 1–12): Michael RutterChapter 2 Gene–Environment Interaction: Overcoming Methodological Challenges (pages 13–30): Rudolf UherChapter 3 Gene–Environment Interaction and Behavioral Disorders: A Developmental Perspective Based on Endophenotypes (pages 31–47): Marco Battaglia, Cecilia Marino, Michel Maziade, Massimo Molteni and Francesca D’AmatoChapter 4 Use of Monozygotic Twins to Investigate the Relationship between 5HTTLPR Genotype, Depression and Stressful Life Events: An Application of Item Response Theory (pages 48–67): Naomi R. Wray, William L. Coventry, Michael R. James, Grant W. Montgomery, Lindon J. Eaves and Nicholas G. MartinChapter 5 Role of Gene–Stress Interactions in Gene?Finding Studies (pages 71–86): Harold Snieder, Xiaoling Wang, Vasiliki Lagou, Brenda W. J. H. Penninx, Harriette Riese and Catharina A. HartmanChapter 6 Practice and Public Policy in the Era of Gene–Environment Interactions (pages 87–102): Kenneth A. DodgeChapter 7 Gene–Environment Interaction and the Metabolic Syndrome (pages 103–121): Kristi B. Adamo and Frederique TessonChapter 8 Longitudinal Studies of Gene–Environment Interaction in Common Diseases—Good Value for Money? (pages 128–142): Stephen P. Robertson and Richie PoultonChapter 9 Gene–Environment Interactions in Breast Cancer (pages 143–155): Kee?Seng ChiaChapter 10 Unbiased Forward Genetics and Systems Biology Approaches to Understanding how Gene–Environment Interactions Work to Predict Susceptibility and Outcomes of Infections (pages 156–167): Malak Kotb, Nourtan Fathey, Ramy Aziz, Sarah Rowe, Robert W. Williams and Lu LuChapter 11 Gene–Environment Interactions in Environmental Lung Diseases (pages 168–180): Steven R. Kleeberger and Hye?Youn ChoChapter 12 Gene–Environment Interaction in Complex Diseases: Asthma as an Illustrative Case (pages 184–197): Fernando D. MartinezChapter 13 Conclusions: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead (pages 198–205): Michael Rutter