Question

What is the purpose of the International HapMap Project? How will it help researchers who study disease-causing alleles?

Short answer

The International HapMap Project is designed to identify and catalogue genetic similarities and differences in humans. It helps researchers by providing data that can inform them of genetic variations common in certain diseases, enabling more efficient genome-wide association studies, and assisting identification of genetic differences influencing drug responses.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Purpose of the International HapMap Project

The International HapMap Project is an international scientific project whose goal is to identify and catalogue genetic similarities and differences in people worldwide. This project maps these variations to specific regions known as haplotypes - thus the name HapMap. It was designed to build a resource that researchers can use to find genes associated with human disease and response to pharmaceuticals.

Analyze How it Helps Researchers

The project helps researchers studying disease-causing alleles in several ways. First, by providing a catalogue of genetic differences, researchers can determine if some of these are more common in people with a particular disease than in those without, this allows identification of genes involved in diseases. Secondly, the HapMap makes it easier and more effective to conduct genome-wide association studies, enabling researchers to find genes contributing to common diseases more efficiently. Finally, the HapMap also aids in identifying genetic differences that affect the response to drugs.