RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Moving beyond genetics: is FAM13A a major biological contributor in lung physiology and chronic lung diseases? JF Journal of Medical Genetics JO J Med Genet FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd SP 646 OP 649 DO 10.1136/jmedgenet-2014-102525 VO 51 IS 10 A1 Harriet Corvol A1 Craig A Hodges A1 Mitchell L Drumm A1 Loïc Guillot YR 2014 UL http://jmg.bmj.com/content/51/10/646.abstract AB Variants in FAM13A have been found in genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to associate with lung function in the general population as well as in several common chronic lung diseases (CLD) such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, as well as in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIP). The gene was cloned in 2004, yet the encoded protein has not been characterised and its function is unknown. The redundancy of its genetic contribution in CLD suggests a major function of this gene both in lung physiology and CLD. This review provides a brief summary of the current knowledge of FAM13A, and demonstrates the necessity to resolve its biological function besides its well accepted genetic contribution. Further interpretations of FAM13A variants may help in the understanding of CLD mechanisms and reveal opportunity for intervention.