Part 1, Chapter 7: Genetics and the Skin
Skip chapter table of contents and go to main content
Genetics and the Skin
Overview
The mass of new knowledge emerging from studies on the human genome is having a major impact on how we investigate and understand the molecular basis of human diseases. Although the principles of genetics that govern the modes of inheritance and patterns of disease remain important, new DNA sequencing tools are providing substantial novel insights into genetic susceptibility, disease causation and clinical variation. Understanding how the new genetics is changing clinical practice is fundamental to improving the management of patients with the vast number of skin diseases that are influenced by genetic variants, both common and rare.
Keywords genome, DNA, chromosome, gene, inheritance, mutation, mosaicism, prenatal diagnosis