To identify the key genes involved, he realized he would need a massive source of DNA data.

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This could help scientists identify key genes for growing heart muscle and other tissues, leading to new treatments for heart failure.

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The Marek's disease virus switches off the genes controlled by HIC1, meaning it turns off key genes that would normally work to block tumours.

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Ms Morgan said that following the identification of two key genes in the last decade (BRCA1 and BRCA2) genetic testing could now pinpoint whether a woman may be at high risk of developing breast cancer.

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Slamon studied tumors from cancer patients in a search for clues to key cancer-causing genes and proteins.

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But since the first draft sequence of the human genome was released in 2000, scientists have realized that junk DNA plays a key role in switching genes on and off.

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They are now trying to work out why the figure in Orkney is so high, but believe genes could play a key role.

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For example, scientists believe they have found a group of genes which play a key role in the development of some bowel, uterine and ovarian cancers.

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To test the role played by key proteins, or hubs, the researchers selectively deleted proteins or genes in the organisms and observed what happened.

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Prof Balasubramaninan said that was of key interest in the study of cancers, which were usually driven by genes, or oncogenes, that had mutated to increase DNA replication.

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