Monday, August 01, 2011

DNA from African Americans broadens new genetic map - USATODAY.com

DNA from African Americans broadens new genetic map - USATODAY.com: Researchers say they have created the world's best genetic map, thanks in part to 5,000 African Americans from the Jackson, Miss., area.

Harvard University and Oxford University teamed up with the University of Mississippi Medical Center to create the map, featured in the July 21 issue of Nature.

African Americans suffer hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and strokes at a much greater rate than white Americans.

James Wilson, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and the study's coordinator, said this new map can help doctors better understand why.

The map, constructed with genetic information from 30,000 African Americans, has a resolution so high it is now the world's most accurate genetic map, said David Reich, professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and co-leader of the study.