{"id":9069,"date":"2017-01-26T12:51:16","date_gmt":"2017-01-26T11:51:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.embl.de\/?p=9069"},"modified":"2024-03-22T13:33:30","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T12:33:30","slug":"1701-social-genetic-effects-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/news\/science\/1701-social-genetic-effects-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Genetics of \u2018room-mate\u2019 influences health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Researchers at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) have shown that the health of individual mice is influenced by the genetic makeup of their partners. Their work on social genetic effects, published in PLOS Genetics<\/a>, indicates that research into genetics and disease should include the genotypes of both individuals and their partners.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Summary<\/h2>\n
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  • For the first time, research in mice shows that the genetic makeup of an individual\u2019s social partners contributes to their state of health.<\/li>\n
  • Unexpectedly, the genetics of social partners were found to affect wound healing and body weight as well as behaviour.<\/li>\n
  • The methods used to detect \u2018social genetic effects\u2019 help future research into the mechanisms whereby one individual influences another.<\/li>\n
  • Findings underscore that research into the genetics of disease should include both individuals and their partners.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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    Background<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Most traits are genetically controlled to some extent, for example, one\u2019s sleep preferences have a genetic component. But nothing happens in isolation. If your partner is a night owl and keeps you awake later than you\u2019d like, their genotypes might be partly to blame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cPeople influence your behaviour, health and wellbeing, and you influence theirs \u2013 this much we know already. What\u2019s been missing is recognition that there is a genetic basis for this,\u201d explains Amelie Baud of EMBL-EBI, who led the study. \u201cIf you\u2019re a researcher looking for links between genotypes and disease, it is very important to look not only at your patient but also at their social environment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Research into \u2018social genetic effects\u2019 can help patients and doctors identify the best way to intervene when a patient\u2019s health is affected by their partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cPeople choose each other, and know they influence one another,\u201d Baud continues. \u201cBut often they are not aware of how this works.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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