IIT Madras and Danish Study Unveils Genetic 'Switches' in Disease Research

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras, in collaboration with the Technical University of Denmark, has identified genetic 'switches' that may transform disease research. This study, published in Nature Communications, indicates that genetic variant interactions in yeast can unlock dormant metabolic pathways, potentially affecting how complex diseases are understood.

Led by IIT Madras's Prof. Himanshu Sinha and PhD student Mr. Srijith Sasikumar, with Danish researchers Dr. Sannara Taylor Parkins and Dr. Suresh Sudarsan, the study provides a framework for decoding gene interactions that modify complex phenotypes. The findings imply novel strategies for disease diagnosis and treatment, biomarkers development, and industrial biotechnology innovations.

This research suggests the potential for significant advancements in the medical field and biotechnology, illustrating how unlocking genetic pathways in yeast offers implications extending to human health and industry.