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NIH Completes Atlas of Human DNA Differences that Influence Gene Expression

Science Update

GTEx gene illustration
Sections of the genome, known as expression Quantitative Trait Loci (eQTL) work to control how genes are turned off and on. Darryl Leja, NHGRI

NIH-funded researchers have completed a detailed atlas documenting the stretches of human DNA that influence gene expression – a key way in which a person’s genome gives rise to an observable trait, like hair color or disease risk.

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