Introduction
The University of Waterloo has discovered three new genetic linkages for dry eye, an immune system disorder that affects as many as 16 million Americans. The discovery is based on research conducted by Omar Rahhal, a post-doctoral researcher in computer science at Waterloo. He explains that our understanding of dry eye’s genetic background “has increased by tenfold.” Dry eye is the result of an autoimmune disorder that attacks a person’s tear glands. The disease causes chronic dryness and irritation of the cornea. It can lead to vision loss if left untreated.
Researchers from the University of Waterloo have discovered three new genetic linkages for dry eye, an immune system disorder that affects as many as 16 million Americans.
The research team analyzed large amounts of data to determine whether certain genes were associated with the disorder. Once they had identified these genes, they studied how they interacted and communicated with one another to understand how dry eye develops.
“The goal is to find genes or genomic regions that contribute to causing dry eye,” said Professor Marcelo Rivano-Peña from Waterloo’s Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. “We know that there are differences in people who suffer from this condition but we don’t know exactly why.”
Omar Rahhal, a post-doctoral researcher in computer science at Waterloo, says that our understanding of dry eye’s genetic background “has increased by tenfold.”
Omar Rahhal is a post-doctoral researcher in computer science at the University of Waterloo. He’s also one of the researchers behind this study, which examined the genetic links to dry eye and eczema (ec-allergen). He says that our understanding of dry eye’s genetic background “has increased by tenfold.”
According to Rahhal, their research shows that there are likely hundreds more genes that can help predict an individual’s risk for developing eczema or dry eye disease.
Dry eye is the result of an autoimmune disorder that attacks a person’s tear glands. The disease causes chronic dryness and irritation of the cornea. It can lead to vision loss if left untreated.
Dry eye, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), is an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic dryness and irritation of the cornea (the clear tissue covering the front of your eye). The disease can lead to vision loss if left untreated.
When you cry, tears flow over your eyes and into your tear ducts to help keep them moistened with a thin layer of moisture. This thin layer helps maintain healthy cells in your corneas. When people suffer from dry eye syndrome, their bodies cannot produce enough tears to keep their corneas from drying out too much; this causes pain and discomfort for those who have it.
The research team analyzed large amounts of data to determine whether certain genes were associated with the disorder. The team then studied how those genes interacted and communicated with each other.
To identify the genetic links, the researchers used a machine learning algorithm to analyze large amounts of data. The team then studied how those genes interacted and communicated with each other.
The research team analyzed large amounts of data to determine whether certain genes were associated with the disorder. The team then studied how those genes interacted and communicated with each other. The findings could help explain why some people are more susceptible than others when it comes to developing dry eye.
“The goal is to find genes or genomic regions that contribute to causing dry eye,” explained Rahhal. “We want to understand the biology better so we can develop better treatments.”
DNA is the blueprint for your genes, which contain all of the information that makes you who you are. Genes are made up of DNA and are found in chromosomes—tiny structures inside cells that carry genetic material.
The researchers also discovered two new genetic links to eczema (atopic dermatitis).
Understanding the biology underlying dry eye should help researchers treat it more effectively.
While researchers are still trying to understand exactly what causes dry eye, they know it involves genes and proteins. Genes are the instructions for making proteins inside our bodies, and proteins help our cells function properly. Researchers have identified many genes that play a role in dry eye, including those known as CERS1A and OGR1. They’ve also pinpointed several types of proteins that may be involved in the condition (such as aquaporin 8).
Now that the three new genetic links have been found, scientists can work on developing therapies aimed at treating these specific problems with dry eye management by targeting these specific pathways in the body.
Conclusion
While the research is still in its early stages, Rahhal believes it will eventually lead to a cure for dry eye. “We’re just at the beginning of our journey,” he said. “Understanding more about how this disease works could help us develop better treatments and therapies.”