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Essay / Using Genetic Mutations to Cure Heart Disease
Table of ContentsGenetically Modified DrugsThe Million Veteran ProgramLoss-of-Function VariantsResearchers from Stanford University School of Medicine and Palo Veterans Health Care System Alto have established a section of genetic mutations that govern cholesterol levels in the body and may also guide the development and use of cardiovascular and diabetes drugs. This data was obtained from the DNA composition of approximately 300,000 veterans. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayScientists were able to isolate about three mutations that disrupt the functioning of their respective genes. Although this sounds serious, this isolation was actually beneficial for the veterans who participated in this research. They showed an improvement in their blood cholesterol profile and showed a significant reduction in the risks of heart disease, diabetes or even abdominal aortic aneurysm. It depended on the specific genetic mutation made. Genetically engineered drugs Tim Assimes, MD, PhD, associate professor of cardiovascular medicine, led the research. He emphasized that the idea of the research was to use genetic data linked to electronic health records and obtained from a significantly large number of individuals to identify genetic variants that would then improve lipid profiles and would provide protection against cardiovascular diseases. They were thus able to design targeted drugs to improve. Three main genes were identified by the study: PDE3B, PCSK9 and ANGPTL4. One day, each of these could be targeted to treat either heart disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or diabetes, in that order. The most intriguing mutation, however, was observed in PDE3B. Assimes took note of this because of the presence of a drug called cilostazol. This drug mimics the beneficial mutation of this gene, putting it in a very strong position for use in treating heart disease. Primary authorship of the study was shared with Derek Klarin, MD, clinical surgical fellow at Harvard, with Scott Damrauer, MD, assistant professor of surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, and at the Michael Crescenz VA Medical Center. in Philadelphia. The Million Veteran Program Klarin, Damrauer and Assimes used the power of numbers to identify the molecular factors that influence blood cholesterol levels. They also used the national research initiative established by the Veterans Health Administration, called the Million Veteran Program, whose goal is to uncover the genetic determinants that lead to health and disease in U.S. veterans, to pool genetic information . cholesterol readings of 297,626 candidates. From there, they tried to find variants that play a role in cholesterol levels. The study was then able to highlight 188 previously identified cholesterol genetic markers and identify 118 previously unknown markers. The researchers then decided to focus on a small number of rare genetic irregularities for further analysis. This was achieved through the use of a technique known as PheWAS, phenomenon-wide screen. It was already established that these genetic mutations had an effect on cholesterol. However, their intention was to determine whether these mutations could also affect the risk of developing other diseases. This technique9.