Characterizing the "POAGome": A bioinformatics-driven approach to primary open-angle glaucoma.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is a genetically, physiologically, and phenotypically complex neurodegenerative disorder. This study addressed the expanding collection of genes associated with POAG, referred to as the "POAGome." We used bioinformatics tools to perform an extensive, systematic literature search and compiled 542 genes with confirmed associations with POAG and its related phenotypes (normal tension glaucoma, ocular hypertension, juvenile open-angle glaucoma, and primary congenital glaucoma).

Saliva DNA quality and genotyping efficiency in a predominantly elderly population.

Background: The question of whether DNA obtained from saliva is an acceptable alternative to DNA from blood is a topic of considerable interest for large genetics studies. We compared the yields, quality and performance of DNAs from saliva and blood from a mostly elderly study population.

Methods: Two thousand nine hundred ten DNAs from primarily elderly subjects (mean age ± standard deviation (SD): 65 ± 12 years), collected for the Primary Open-Angle African-American Glaucoma Genetics (POAAGG) study, were evaluated by fluorometry and/or spectroscopy.