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Our group is focused on identifying genetic factors that underlie complex traits in humans. We use an approach that combines principles from population genetics and epidemiology. We are particularly focused on studying disease in populations of mixed ancestry such as African Americans and Latinos.

A major aim of our group is understanding susceptibility to cancer and response to cancer treatment. Current projects include identifying genetic loci and genes that influence breast cancer susceptibility among Latina and African American women.  We are also interested in pharmacogenetics of cancer treatment. We are currently studying genetic variants that underlie response and side effect profile from hormonal therapies for breast cancer.

Another focus in the group has been the use of a technique known as admixture mapping to identify genetic loci and genes that may underlie ethnic differences in disease risk. We have recently used this approach to map genetic loci that affect serum inflammatory markers and a locus that affects white blood cell count.

Selected Publications

Nalls, M , J Wilson, N Patterson, A Tandon, J Zmuda, S Huntsman, M Garcia, D Hu, R Li, B Beamer, K Patel, E Akylbekova, J Files, .C Hardy, S Buxbaum, H Taylor, D Reich, T Harris, and E Ziv “Admixture mapping of white cell count:genetic locus responsible for higher white blood cell count in European Americans than African Americans in the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study and the Jackson Heart Study.” American Journal of Human Genetics, Am J Hum Genet. 2008 Jan;82(1):81-7.

Paschou, P, E Ziv, E Burchard, M Mahoney, P Derineas, “PCA-correlated SNPs for substructure identification”, PLOS Genetics, 2007; 3:1672-86.

Reich, D, N Patterson, J Ramesh, PL De Jager, GJ McDonald, A Tandon, E Choy, D Hu, B Tamraz, L Pawlikowska, C. Wassel-Fyr, S Huntsman, A Waliszewska, E Rossin, R Li, M Garcia, A Reiner, R Ferrell, S Cummings, PY. Kwok, T Harris, J Zmuda , and E Ziv, “Admixture mapping of an allele affecting soluble IL6 receptor and IL6 levels,” American Journal of Human Genetics, 2007; 80: 716-26.

Ziv, E, E John, J Kho, S Choudhry, W Lorizio, E Perez-Stable, E Burchard, “Breast cancer risk factors and genetic ancestry among Latinas in the San Francisco Bay Area” Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention 2006;15(10):1878-85.

Tsai, HJ, S Choudhry, M Navi, E Burchard, E Ziv, “A comparison of methods to estimate genetic ancestry and control for population stratification in admixed populations”, Human Genetics, 2005, 118: 424-33.

A Reiner*, Ziv E*, D Lind, C Nievergelt, N Schork, E Burchard, , S Cummings, B Psaty, PY Kwok, “Population structure, admixture and aging related phenotypes among African Americans: The Cardiovascular Health Study” American Journal of Human Genetics 2005;76:463-77. *Contributed equally to the manuscript

Burchard E*, E Ziv*, N Coyle, S Lin Gomez, H. Tang, AJ Karter, JL Mountain, EJ Perez-Stable, D Sheppard, N Risch, “The importance of race and ethnicity in biomedical research and clinical practice,” New England Journal of Medicine, 2003; 345: 1170-5.

Ziv E, J Shepherd, R Smith-Bindman, K Kerlikowske, “Mammographic breast density is a predictor of family history of breast cancer.” Journal of the National Cancer Institute , 2003; 95: 556-8.
*Contributed equally to the manuscript

Ziv E, J Cauley, P Morin, R Saiz, WS Browner, “An association between the T29->C polymorphism in the transforming growth factor beta1 gene and breast cancer in elderly white women: the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures,” JAMA, 2001; 285:2859-2863.