SNPs LAB
for the determination of genetic polymorphisms


The SNPs Lab (co-ordinated by Dr Paola Russo) of the Epidemiology & Population Genetics Unit was created in 1999 following the development of new research lines aiming at evaluating the impact of genetic determinants on nutrition-associated chronic diseases such as hypertension, CHD, metabolic syndrome and obesity.
 

Data have been recently published by this research unit on the association between genetic polymorphisms and the "risk" for metabolic diseases such as obesity and salt-sensitivity of blood pressure. In particular in the Olivetti Heart Study cohort, the carriers of the polymorphism Gly40Ser of the glucagon receptor gene showed higher risk of central adiposity, high blood pressure and altered renal sodium handling. In the same sample, an increased risk of obesity was observed in the carriers of the polymorphism of the Trp64Arg beta3 adrenergic receptor gene.

Research at the SNPs LAB currently involves the determination of the polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system (ACE, angiotensinogen, AT1 angiotensin receptor and aldosterone-synthase) on the sample of the Olivetti Heart Study.

The Research Unit of Epidemiology & Population Genetics will participate -as CNR Unit- in the EU project IMMIDIET Study: in this framework, the SNPs LAB will be involved in the determination of the genetic predictors of cardiovascular risk in samples of different European populations.