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5 unusual facts about Public health genomics


Public health genomics

Recent research has linked variants in the Gap Junction Beta 2 (GJB2) gene to nonsyndromic prelingual sensorineural hearing loss.

GJB2 is a gene encoding for connexin a protein found in the cochlea.

Variants in GJB2 are being looked at to determine age of onset as well as severity of hearing loss.

Information gained from further research in the role of GJB2 variants in hearing loss may lead to consisted newborn screening for them.

Further testing is needed, especially in determining the role of GJB2 variants and environmental factors on a population level, however initial studies show promise when using genetic information along with newborn screening.



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