Ellen M. Wijsman

Research Program:

Coronary artery disease

Our overall goal is to identify genes in which variation contributes to variable risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Our current project focusses on elevated apoB as a risk factor for CAD. We are performing a genome screen in families with familial combined hyperlipidemia to identify loci contributing to elevated apoB. Markers were typed by the NHLBI Mammalian genotyping service. We are performing analyses on the largest 15 families, using quantitative levels of apoB as the phenotype, and including covariate adjustment for factors which influence apoB levels. Analyses include both traditional lod score and newly developed Monte Carlo Markov chain methods of linkage analysis.

Supported by NIH HL 30086 (Gail Jarvik, PI)