Genetics of a gene family

A gene family is a group of genes that make similar proteins. These proteins often do similar jobs in the cell. Vanderbilt scientists are studying one specific family of genes. This family is special, because it may help fight viral infections. HIV is a virus that causes AIDS if left untreated. The scientists will use BioVU to look for patients with changes in this gene family. They will check if they have any diseases. They will look for a link between any of the gene changes and a disease. They will also use BioVU to find patients with HIV that have changes in these genes. People with HIV can also have other diseases. They will check for links between the gene changes and other diseases in the patients with HIV. This study could help us learn how gene changes in this family play a role in certain diseases. The project may also help us understand why some HIV-positive patients get certain diseases. This could help us better treat patients with these diseases.