Abstract: Disclosed are controls for use in identifying any of a number of genotypes and/or for use in identifying or characterizing a disease or condition. The controls may be particularly useful for diagnostic tests that utilize circulating cell-free DNA or microRNA. A control may comprise a mixture of nucleic acids. In some embodiments, a control comprises liposomes, e.g., wherein nucleic acids of the control are associated with the liposomes. For example, the controls are useful for determining whether a fetus comprises an aneuploidy. Also disclosed are methods of using the controls.

Abstract: Methods and constructs are provided that are predictive of a subject's susceptibility to developing a metabolic disorder, such as obesity. The disclosed naturally-occurring SNPs located upstream of the NPY2R gene can be used as targets for the design of diagnostic reagents and the development of therapeutic agents, as well as for disease association and linkage analysis. In particular, the SNPs of the present invention are useful for identifying an individual who is at an increased or decreased risk of developing metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes, and for early detection of the disease, for providing clinically important information for the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic disorder, and for screening and selecting therapeutic agents. The SNPs disclosed herein are also useful for human identification applications. Methods, assays, kits, and reagents for detecting the presence of these polymorphisms and their encoded products are provided.

Abstract: Methods and constructs are provided that are predictive of a subject's susceptibility to developing a metabolic disorder, such as obesity. The disclosed naturally-occurring SNPs located upstream of the NPY2R gene can be used as targets for the design of diagnostic reagents and the development of therapeutic agents, as well as for disease association and linkage analysis. In particular, the SNPs of the present invention are useful for identifying an individual who is at an increased or decreased risk of developing metabolic disorders, such as obesity and diabetes, and for early detection of the disease, for providing clinically important information for the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic disorder, and for screening and selecting therapeutic agents. The SNPs disclosed herein are also useful for human identification applications. Methods, assays, kits, and reagents for detecting the presence of these polymorphisms and their encoded products are provided.