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Monday, 06 October 2025 10:24

Human research: How human genes influence metabolism Featured

A German-British research team has created the largest genetic map of human metabolism to date, investigating the effects of the human genetic code on blood values such as cholesterol and amino acids. They succeeded in identifying a new gene called VEGFA, which may control aspects of the denser form of cholesterol (HDL). The findings could be of interest for the development of new drugs to prevent heart disease.


Researchers from the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité (BIH) together with scientists from Queen Mary University of London have investigated the influence of genetic predisposition on human blood values. For their work, they collaborated with the contract research company Nightingale Health Plc, which analyzes biomarkers in human blood samples. They studied the effects of different gene variants on the levels of 250 molecules in 500,000 blood samples. Using the results, they created a comprehensive genetic map of human metabolism.

Original publication:
Zoodsma, M., Beuchel, C., Yasmeen, S. et al. (2025). A genetic map of human metabolism across the allele frequency spectrum. Nat Genet (2025).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02355-3

Source and further information:
https://www.bihealth.org/en/notices/how-genes-affect-our-metabolism

 

 

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