The value of isolated populations (original) (raw)

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Nature Genetics volume 28, pages 309–310 (2001)Cite this article

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The relative advantages of isolated (also termed founder or homogeneous) and outbred populations in identifying genes affecting complex traits has been the subject of much debate1,2,3,4. The extent of linkage disequilibrium (LD) in isolated and outbred populations has been charted, and the small difference between the two types of population has been taken to indicate that the advantage of isolated populations is possibly minimal3,4.

Here, we argue that the usefulness of isolated populations in the dissection of complex traits should not be dismissed. First, the apparent similarity of LD between isolated and outbred populations does not consistently hold, particularly for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) relatively far apart from one another. Second, isolated populations usually have reduced genetic heterogeneity, which can significantly increase genotypic relative risk (GRR) and hence the ability to identify genes.

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Authors and Affiliations

1. Department of Evolution Systematics and Ecology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, 91904, Israel
   Sagiv Shifman & Ariel Darvasi
2. IDgene Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Beit Ofer – 5 Heftzadi Street, PO Box 34478, Jerusalem, 91344, Israel
   Ariel Darvasi

Authors

1. Sagiv Shifman
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2. Ariel Darvasi
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Correspondence toAriel Darvasi.

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Shifman, S., Darvasi, A. The value of isolated populations.Nat Genet 28, 309–310 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/91060

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• Issue Date: August 2001
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/91060

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