AUTHOR=Awany Denis , Allali Imane , Dalvie Shareefa , Hemmings Sian , Mwaikono Kilaza S. , Thomford Nicholas E. , Gomez Andres , Mulder Nicola , Chimusa Emile R. 

TITLE=Host and Microbiome Genome-Wide Association Studies: Current State and Challenges

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Genetics

VOLUME=9

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/genetics/articles/10.3389/fgene.2018.00637

DOI=10.3389/fgene.2018.00637

ISSN=1664-8021

ABSTRACT=<p>The involvement of the microbiome in health and disease is well established. Microbiome genome-wide association studies (mGWAS) are used to elucidate the interaction of host genetic variation with the microbiome. The emergence of this relatively new field has been facilitated by the advent of next generation sequencing technologies that enable the investigation of the complex interaction between host genetics and microbial communities. In this paper, we review recent studies investigating host–microbiome interactions using mGWAS. Additionally, we highlight the marked disparity in the sampling population of mGWAS carried out to date and draw attention to the critical need for inclusion of diverse populations.</p>