Journey into genetics: taking the twists and turns of life
Genetics play a major role in our lives and for the most part, we take it for granted. By definition, it is a study of heredity or how the characteristics of living things and their variations are transmitted from one generation to the next. Although genetics has a pervasive influence in every s...
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| Format: | Inaugural Lecture |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universiti Putra Malaysia Press
2015
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| Online Access: | http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114291/ http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/114291/1/114291.pdf |
| Summary: | Genetics play a major role in our lives and for the most part,
we take it for granted. By definition, it is a study of heredity or
how the characteristics of living things and their variations are
transmitted from one generation to the next. Although genetics
has a pervasive influence in every sphere of life, the focus of my
research is on human and medical genetics. Almost every human
trait and disease has a genetic component, whether inherited
or influenced by behavioural factors such as exercise and diet.
These genetic components can also modify the body’s response to
environmental factors such as toxins or even drugs. Understanding
the underlying concepts of human genetics, especially the role of
genes, is important for applying genetic and genomic information as
well as technologies in healthcare. It is also important in improving
disease diagnosis and treatment.
The completion of the first mapping of the Human Genome
Project has opened tremendous potential for research in which
genes relate to human conditions, diseases, impairment and
susceptibilities. Hence, the knowledge generated through human
genetics research has the potential to improve individual and
community health.
The following sections will first provide some information about
basic genetic concepts, the major types of genetic disease, and the
impact of genetic variation. Subsequently, the selected research
projects that were carried out in the application of genetics and
genetic technologies in cancer, especially breast cancer, infectious
diseases and therapeutics, including genetic immunisation will be
chronicled and highlighted.
It is highly likely that human genetics research through the years
will become an increasingly more integral component of medical
research. It is hoped that the scope of genetic research illustrated
by the current activities in my laboratory reflects this reality. |
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