One of CpG’s thrust areas of research has been CVD, which is a complex multi-factorial disease involving the interplay of genetic and environmental factors in the precipitation of the disease and its outcome. WHO predicts that by 2010 India will have 100 million, or 60% of the world’s heart patients. The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is known to be very high both within the Indian subcontinent and also among migrant Asian Indians in other continents. Cardiovascular diseases in Asian Indians occurs prematurely and a host of new risk factors underlying cardiovascular diseases have been described in Asian Indians.

We have chosen to study a single ethnic group in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta)– the Marwaris. The Marwari community originally belongs to Rajasthan, but a small group of individuals moved to Kolkata about 300 years ago, and have largely remained maritally isolated. Therefore, strong founder effects, genetic and cultural homogeneity are expected, all of which can facilitate disease-gene discovery. They are vegetarian, but have adverse lipid profiles, and generally have sedentary life styles. They are a stable and closely connected community, and have large family sizes. We identify Marwari families where at least two first-degree relatives have/had profound CVD (e.g., coronary bypass, angioplasty). From such families we collect detailed information on demographic, clinical history, life-style and behavioural variables. Blood and DNA samples collected from the affected and her/his family members are then studied. Till date we have collected data and samples from several individuals. DNA resequencing and genotyping of candidate genes are in progress.