Pitfalls in the application of gene-set analysis to genetics studies

Trends Genet. 2014 Dec;30(12):513-4. doi: 10.1016/j.tig.2014.10.001.

Abstract

Gene-set analysis (GSA) (‘enrichment’) is a popular approach for the interpretation of genome-wide association studies (GWASs). GSA is most commonly applied to the analysis of transcriptomes, but from the outset it has been considered useful for any study that provides rankings or ‘hit lists’ of genes. The recent review by Mooney et al. [1] is a valuable resource for geneticists wishing to apply GSA to the output of GWASs. Here we describe some additional points of practical importance if the methods are to be applied and interpreted soundly.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Genome, Human*
  • Genome-Wide Association Study*
  • Genomics / methods*
  • Humans
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction*