Genetics for poets
Where do we stand in our understanding of autism genetics — and what major questions remain? A molecular biologist supplies answers in stanzas.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/1970/01/20170627WiglerPoem1120.jpg)
1.
where have we gotten to from genetic analysis?
a. an understanding of the genetic architecture
i. role of de novo mutation
ii. role of transmission
b. a bevy of target genes
c. estimates of target size
d. the concept of gene vulnerability
e. awareness of genetic-phenotypic correlations
f. understanding of noncoding variants
g. beginnings of understanding of gender roles
2.
what can we do with it?
a. inform our understanding of the genetic basis of autism
b. diagnosis and counseling
c. develop individualized therapies
d. inspire therapies tested by stratification
3.
is this the end of the road?
a. hardly, not complete at gene target level
b. hardly, crack the noncoding and missense mutations
c. hardly, architecture not completely specified, especially the nature of multiplex autism
d. hardly, no modifiers known
e. hardly, no sensible functional stratification
4.
what is to be done?
a. continue to gather information
b. aggregate by functional overlap
c. stratify treatment by functional overlap
d. develop understanding of gender modifiers
Michael Wigler is a professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York.
Recommended reading
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
![Research image of astrocytes and microglia in mouse brains.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1200-spotted-20240903-1024x683.webp)
X-chromosome genes; neurobiology of infant crying; MCHAT in preemies
![Illustration of a red pencil with a white eraser that is being used against a white sheet of paper.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/correction-1200-1024x692.webp)
Task swap prompts data do-over for autism auditory perception study
Explore more from The Transmitter
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
![Computer-generated illustration of a pencil.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/APpencil-1200-1024x692.webp)