Complex pathways to atopy development. Genes and environment

PhD ceremony: Ms. R.W.B. Bottema, 14.45 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen

Thesis: Complex pathways to atopy development. Genes and environment

Promotor(s): prof. D.S. Postma, prof. C.P. van Schayck

Faculty: Medical Sciences

 

Atopic diseases like asthma and hay fever have a complex origin, i.e. both genetic as well as environmental factors contribute to their development. Genes and environmental factors influence development of disease by influencing each other, which is named gene-gene and gene-environment interaction. This thesis evaluates gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions in the development of atopic disease. By using a novel method Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR), multiple genes in a biologically plausible pathway relevant for the development of asthma and atopy were evaluated, yet without knowledge by forehand which genes will be important.