Podcast: The 1% in Genetic Studies
Dr. Jacob McCauley (far right) talks to Dean Henri Ford about the relationship between genetic footprints and disease.
Humans share 99% of their genes. But, according to Jacob McCauley, Ph.D., “that one percent can tell us a lot.”
The “1%” in genetic studies refers to the small fraction of DNA that differentiates any two individuals but may be the key for understanding disease susceptibility.
“We’re trying to understand how differences in the genetic footprint lead someone to develop a certain disease and what that disease course may be for them,” said Dr. McCauley, a professor in the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics and director of the Center for Genome Technology.
He joined the latest “Inside U Miami Medicine” podcast to talk about how this small variation is leading to significant discoveries. He and his team are tapping into the latest biomedical technology and resources to examine genetic sequences, identify clearer patterns and zero in on specific genes that may contribute to ailments like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis.
“The more we know about the genetics, the better chances we have to work on drug discovery, understand the pathways that are involved in disease,” he said. “The right drug for the right individual at the right time, that’s the ultimate goal.”
Listen now on Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.
Tags: Dr. Jacob McCauley, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, gene editing, genetics, genome editing, genome research, Inside U Miami Medicine