In studies on our pedigreed baboon colony, I have been investigating the effects of genes on variation in serum HDL-C subfractions and studying the interactions between these genes in different dietary environments. I have detected significant genetic contributions to variation in platelet number, volume, and concentration of platelet-derived growth factor. Additional work with baboons is directed at detecting the effects of genes on bone density phenotypes in order to better understand the development of osteoporosis in humans. My work in the San Antonio Family Heart Study focuses on the relationships between variation in plasma levels of HDL-C and triglycerides.
Additional work is directed at better characterizing our animal models.
To this end we have published cross-sectional growth standards for nearly all internal organs in the baboon and are collecting similar reference data for our laboratory opossums. Genetic contribution to normal variation and correlations with plasma nitric oxide levels and apolipoprotein A-I levels. M.C. Statistical modeling approaches to genetic analysis. ILAR J . A.G. Statistical genetics of normal variation in family data for oligogenic diseases.