UCSF DIABETES, ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM TRAINING PROGRAM FACULTY RESEARCH SUMMARIES

Our research focuses on genetic epidemiological studies of complex phenotypes, in particular aging- and metabolism-related traits in humans. Through the use of extended families and large cohorts of unrelated individuals, the goal of our research is to identify susceptibility genes, environmental risk factors, and their patterns of interaction for traits of interest. We employ epidemiological principles, statistical tools and bioinformatics to perform linkage analysis and genetic association studies. Study populations include extended families from the Old Order Amish and large cohorts from the US and Mexico with extensive information from prospective long-term longitudinal follow-ups or national surveys.

Current projects and collaborations include the following:
• Genetic epidemiology of diurnal preference and its relationship with aging
• Genetic epidemiology of telomere length and its relationship with aging
• Candidate gene studies of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and longevity

The hope is that findings from these studies will contribute to a better understanding of the disease etiology. Furthermore, they may have significant implications for disease treatment and prevention strategies, such as identifying populations at high risk and providing "tailored" preventive or therapeutic strategies to patients with specific genetic profiles.

Selected References

Hsueh W-C , Mitchell BD, Aburomia R, Pollin TI, Sakul H, Ehm MG, Michelsen B, Wagner MJ, St. Jean PL, Knowler WC, Burns DK, Bell CJ, Shuldiner AR. Diabetes in the Old Order Amish: characterization and heritability analysis of the Amish Family Diabetes Study. Diabetes Care 2000;23(5):595-601

Mitchell BD, Hsueh W-C , King TM, Pollin TI, Sorkin J, Agarwala R, Schaffer AA, Shuldiner AR. Heritability of life span in the Old Order Amish. Am J Medical Genet 2001;102:346-352

Hsueh W-C , St Jean PL, Mitchell BD, Pollin TI, Knowler WC, Ehm MG, Bell CJ, Sakul H, Wagner MJ, Burns DK, Shuldiner AR. Genome-wide and fine-mapping linkage studies of type 2 diabetes and glucose traits in the Old Order Amish: evidence for a new diabetes locus on chromosome 14q11 and confirmation of a locus on chromosome 1q21-q24 Diabetes. 2003 Feb;52(2):550-7

Browner WS, Kahn AJ, Ziv E, Reiner AP, Oshima J, Cawthon RM, Hsueh W-C , Cummings SR. The genetics of human longevity. Am J Med 2004;117(11):851-60

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