Genetics

DNA is The blueprint of our human body. Variations in DNA are The source for The phe-notypes of different individuals. The two most common types of variations, also called polymorphisms, are microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in our DNA. Mendelian disease refers to a simple form of disease in which alternation or mutation in a single gene is enough for its manifestation. Linkage analysis has been proven to be a use-ful method for studying this type of disease. Complex genetic disorders are caused by multiple genes with small effects combined with environmental factors. Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies using case-control design are best used to analyze these disorders. Idiopathic scoliosis is likely a complex genetic disorder. With The recent new developments in human genetics The cause of idiopathic and con-genital scoliosis will most likely be elucidated in The not-too-distant future. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex