Internationally renowned for pioneering, multi-disciplinary research, the Thrombosis Research Institutes comprise two independent charitable foundations based in London, United Kingdom and Bangalore, India.

 

Indian Atherosclerosis Research Studies (IARS):

Because the Asian Indian population is known to be genetically susceptible to premature coronary heart disease (CHD), staff at the Thrombosis Research Institute are involved in large scale, genetic, epidemiological studies which aim to identify those most at risk of CHD and therefore in need of suitable prophylactic measures.

IARS seek to gain a deeper understanding of the interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors by enrolling over 12,000 people and:

  • Assessing the heritability of atherothrombotic phenotypes
  • Identifying the ‘nexus’ of genes and genetic mechanisms in operation
  • Evaluating the underlying regulation of gene expression in Asian Indians with early onset CHD

More specifically, our investigations into the molecular genetics of CHD include:

  • Mapping of the disease genes on chromosomes
  • Identifying candidate genes in these chromosomal regions
  • Screening for common DNA polymorphisms or scanning for novel genetic variants in the coding and regulatory regions of selected candidate genes
  • Evaluating allelic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or haplotype blocks with coronary artery disease and estimating their interaction with environmental factors
  • Relating variations in DNA sequence with gene function and delineating the regulation of gene expression in coronary artery disease