Molecular Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases

With the sequencing of the human genome and the mapping of millions of single nucleotide polymorphisms, epidemiology has moved into the molecular domain. Scientists can now use molecular markers to track disease–associated genes in populations, enabling them to study complex chronic diseases that might result from the weak interactions of many genes with the environment. Use of these laboratory–generated biomarker data and an understanding of disease mechanisms are increasingly important in elucidating disease aetiology. Molecular Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases crosses the disciplinary boundaries between laboratory scientists, epidemiologists, clinical researchers and biostatisticians, and is accessible to all these relevant research communities in focusing on practical issues of application, rather than reviews of current areas of research. Covers categories of biomarkers of exposure, susceptibility and disease Includes chapters on novel technologies: genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabonomics, which are increasingly finding application in population studies Emphasizes new statistical and bioinformatics approaches necessitated by the large data sets generated using these new methodologies Demonstrates the potential applications of laboratory techniques in tackling epidemiological problems while considering their limitations, including the sources of uncertainty and inaccuracy Issues such as reliability (compared to traditional epidemiological methods) and the timing of exposure are discussed Practical elements of conducting population studies, including biological repositories and ethics, are explored Molecular Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases provides an easy–to–use, clearly presented handbook that allows epidemiologists to understand the specifics of research involving biomarkers,and laboratory scientist to understand the main issues of epidemiological study design and analysis. it also provides a useful tool for courses on molecular epidemiology using many examples from population studies to illustrate key concepts and principles.