Nutrigenomics and individual human genomes

INTRODUCTION Functional "-omics" describes the techniques that map interactions between biological macromolecules described in various "-omes" such as the genome, transcriptome, proteome and metabolome. Amongst these omics, nutritional genomics is the most recent. METHODOLOGY The American National Institute of Health has set a goal for individual human genome sequencing to cost no more than 1, 000 USD. At this price, it is realistic that individual genomes will be routinely screened for genes responsible for hereditary diseases, including those influenced by nutrition. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Nutrigenomics is the study of how individual genetic differences can affect the way we respond to nutrients in the foods we eat. Nutrigenomics has received much attention because of the potential for preventing or treating chronic disease including certain cancers, through dietary changes. The conceptual basis for this new branch of genomics can best be summarized by the five doctrines of nutrigenomics: 1/ under certain circumstances and in some individuals, diet can be a serious risk factor for a number of diseases ; 2/ common dietary chemicals can act on the human genome, either directly or indirectly, to alter gene expression or structure ; 3/ the degree to which diet influences the balance between health and disease may depend on an individual's genetic makeup ; 4/ some diet-regulated genes are likely to play a role in the onset, incidence, progression, and/or severity of chronic diseases ; 5/ dietary intervention based on knowledge of nutritional requirement, nutritional status and genotype can be used to prevent, mitigate or cure chronic disease. CONCLUSION The promise of nutrigenomics is personalized medicine based upon an understanding of our nutritional needs, nutritional and health status and our genotype. Knowledge gained from comparing diet/gene interactions in different populations may provide the information needed to address the larger problem of global malnutrition and disease.