biostudies-literatureRauner MVersus Arthritis731217https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8686830biostudies-literatureUnknown12The availability of large human datasets for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and the advancement of sequencing technologies have boosted the identification of genetic variants in complex and rare diseases in the skeletal field. Yet, interpreting results from human association studies remains a challenge. To bridge the gap between genetic association and causality, a systematic functional investigation is necessary. Multiple unknowns exist for putative causal genes, including cellular localization of the molecular function. Intermediate traits ("endophenotypes"), e.g. molecular quantitative trait loci (molQTLs), are needed to identify mechanisms of underlying associations. Furthermore, index variants often reside in non-coding regions of the genome, therefore challenging for interpreFrontiers in endocrinologyPerspective of the GEMSTONE Consortium on Current and Future Approaches to Functional Validation for Skeletal Genetic Disease Using Cellular, Molecular and Animal-Modeling Techniques.PMC868683022044Rauner MKarasik DPrijatelj VGiralt NGvan Hul WFoessl IBanerjee BSoe KReppe SBalcells SBusse Bvan de Peppel JPavlos NJLopez NABergen DCalado AGabet Yvan der Eerden BSoldatovic IGrinberg DRivadeneira FLovsin NMSolan XNKague EFormosa MMOstanek BMarc JDouni EfalsePerspective of the GEMSTONE Consortium on Current and Future Approaches to Functional Validation for Skeletal Genetic Disease Using Cellular, Molecular and Animal-Modeling Techniques.The availability of large human datasets for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and the advancement of sequencing technologies have boosted the identification of genetic variants in complex and rare diseases in the skeletal field. Yet, interpreting results from human association studies remains a challenge. To bridge the gap between genetic association and causality, a systematic functional investigation is necessary. Multiple unknowns exist for putative causal genes, including cellular localization of the molecular function. Intermediate traits ("endophenotypes"), e.g. molecular quantitative trait loci (molQTLs), are needed to identify mechanisms of underlying associations. Furthermore, index variants often reside in non-coding regions of the genome, therefore challenging for interpre2021-01-01T00:00:00Z20212025-04-04T08:52:35.306Z2022-02-11T14:35:47.471ZS-EPMC86868303493826910.3389/fendo.2021.731217