Genetics of allergic diseases.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been employed in the field of allergic disease, and significant associations have been published for nearly 100 asthma genes/loci. An outcome of GWAS in allergic disease has been the formation of national and international collaborations leading to consortia meta-analyses, and an appreciation for the specificity of genetic associations to sub-phenotypes of allergic disease. Molecular genetics has undergone a technological revolution, leading to next-generation sequencing strategies that are increasingly employed to hone in on the causal variants associated with allergic diseases. Unmet needs include the inclusion of diverse cohorts and strategies for managing big data.