Genomics and atherosclerosis.

Recent progress in the human genome project allows us to study the genetic basis of complex traits such as atherosclerosis and diabetes. Among various approaches, a genetic approach such as affected sib-paired analysis and case-control study has successfully identified genes for susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease and diabetes. Several points to be considered are discussed for their successful application to athroscelorosis. In addition, functional genomic approaches based on powerful technology such as cDNA microarray and knockout mice allow us to identify genes and proteins involved in the complex biological (disease) process. As a successful example, a transgenic mice study of circadian rythm in transgenic mice is described.