Systematic Integration of genomics with transcriptomics for the Study of Coronary Artery Disease and Subclinical Atherosclerosis

Coronary artery disease is one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. Researchers integrated data from genomic studies with gene expression data from a multi-ethnic population to identify genes associated with the risk of this disease. Using statistical methods, they identified 108 genes linked to loci associated with coronary artery disease, of which 48 genes had not been previously reported. The analysis confirmed 5 novel and 8 previously known genes with potential roles in coronary artery disease and subclinical atherosclerosis. The research also identified five gene modules and three key driver genes associated with atherosclerosis. These findings emphasize the value of combining different analytical approaches to identify genes and biological processes involved in disease development.