Division of
Genetic Epidemiology

The Division of Genetic Epidemiology (GenEpi) is devoted to studying the role of genetic factors in determining health and disease in families and in populations, and the interplay of such genetic factors with environmental factors. 

Research and Gene Studies:

We are focused on searching for and understanding genes that affect health and disease.  Our current research includes studying families that have higher incidences of the following cancers:  breast, ovarian, prostate, leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, myeloma and melanoma.

Traditionally we study the role of genetics in disease progression through:

• Familial aggregation studies.  Is there a genetic component to the disease, and what are the relative contributions of genes and the environment?
• Segregation studies.  What is the pattern of inheritance of the disease (eg, dominant or recessive)?
• Linkage studies. On which part of which chromosome is the disease gene located?
• Association studies.  Which allele of which gene is associated with the disease?

We conduct our research in two ways.  We examine large health databases to determine patterns and associations of various diseases, and we also conduct gene studies where we enroll participants to study families that have a high incidence of a particular disease. 

Please click here for more information on our research.

Overview of Genetics and Cancer:

Click here for an introductory overview of what genetics entails, the relationship between genetics and cancer, and ways to help reduce your risk of cancer.

History of the Division of Genetic Epidemiology:

Click here for a brief history of our division and our involvement with the identification of the p16, BRCA1, and BRCA2 genes.