Pooled-Cohorts Genome-Wide Association Study of Metals: The Metal-Gwas Initiative

Abstract

The metal GWAS Initiative has as purpose to use the largest possible set of high-quality cohort studies with data on metal and metalloid biomarkers to evaluate how levels of metal biomarkers, which are considered markers of internal dose (depending on uptake, metabolism and clearance), are influenced by genetic variation. The metal GWAS Initiative can enable: 1. The robust evaluation of genetic determinants of metal biomarkers. 2. Point to interesting biological pathways for potential metalrelated health effects, through integrative post-GWAS analysis. 3. Create the necessary structure to enable the participating cohorts to entertain large collaborative efforts to assess, in the most possible robust and reproducible way, potential metal-related health effects and associated gene-environment interactions.