The Terms, A–Z
[ 18 Definitions · Plain English ]BRCA1
A tumor-suppressor gene that repairs damaged DNA. Pathogenic BRCA1 variants raise lifetime breast cancer risk to up to 72% and ovarian cancer risk to up to 44%. Testing is the first step in NCCN-guided enhanced screening.
BRCA Test →BRCA2
BRCA1's partner in DNA repair. Variants raise breast, ovarian, prostate, and pancreatic cancer risk — including up to 27% lifetime prostate cancer risk in men by age 80.
BRCA Test →Lynch Syndrome
The most common hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, caused by variants in MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, or EPCAM. It raises lifetime colorectal cancer risk to up to 80% and affects roughly 1 in 279 people — most of whom don't know.
Lynch Syndrome Guide →CYP2D6
A liver enzyme gene that metabolizes roughly 20–25% of common medications, including many antidepressants, opioids, and beta-blockers. Your CYP2D6 metabolizer type can make standard doses ineffective or unsafe.
Pharmacogenomics Hub →CYP2C19
Controls metabolism of citalopram, escitalopram, sertraline, clopidogrel, and proton-pump inhibitors. Poor and ultra-rapid metabolizers frequently fail standard therapy — one of the most clinically actionable PGx genes.
Pharmacogenomics Hub →CYP2C9
Metabolizes warfarin, NSAIDs, and several diabetes medications. Alongside VKORC1, it determines safe warfarin dosing — a pairing CPIC guidelines cover explicitly.
Pharmacogenomics Hub →CYP3A4
The liver's most abundant drug-metabolizing enzyme, processing statins, immunosuppressants, and a large share of all prescription drugs. Variants and drug interactions here drive many adverse events.
GenePGx Test →SLCO1B1
A transporter gene that moves statins into the liver. The SLCO1B1 decreased-function variant raises simvastatin muscle-toxicity (myopathy) risk — CPIC guidelines recommend alternative statins or lower doses for carriers.
GenePGx Test →VKORC1
The gene warfarin directly targets. VKORC1 variants change warfarin sensitivity dramatically; combined with CYP2C9, genotype-guided dosing is one of the oldest FDA-recognized pharmacogenomic applications.
GenePGx Test →TPMT
Thiopurine methyltransferase — the enzyme that deactivates thiopurine chemotherapy drugs. Low-activity carriers can develop life-threatening bone-marrow suppression at standard doses, so TPMT testing is standard before treatment.
GenePGx Test →DPYD
Encodes the enzyme that clears fluoropyrimidine chemotherapy (5-FU, capecitabine). DPYD poor metabolizers risk severe, sometimes fatal toxicity at standard doses; CPIC guidelines mandate dose reduction or avoidance.
GenePGx Test →MTHFR
Converts folic acid into active folate. Variants carried by up to 60% of people reduce that conversion by 30–70%, making the methylated form of folate the smarter supplement for carriers.
Nutrigenomics Basics →APOE
Best known for its role in cholesterol transport and lipid metabolism. APOE variants influence cardiovascular risk profiles and dietary fat response — and the ε4 allele is the strongest common genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
GeneCore Test →FTO
The fat mass and obesity-associated gene. Variants found in ~44% of people of European ancestry raise obesity risk by up to 70% via appetite and energy-expenditure pathways — a driver of genetic diet failure, not a destiny.
DNA & Weight Guide →Pharmacogenomics (PGx)
The study of how genes affect drug response. Up to 99% of people carry at least one actionable PGx variant, which is why a single PGx panel can guide medication choices for a lifetime.
Pharmacogenomics Hub →Metabolizer Types
Your functional speed at processing a drug: poor (little/no enzyme activity — side effects at standard doses), intermediate (reduced), normal (expected response), rapid, or ultra-rapid (clears the drug before it works). Dose and drug choice should follow the type.
Pharmacogenomics Hub →NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing)
Massively parallel DNA sequencing that reads millions of fragments at once — the technology that made 108-gene panels and 230+-gene PGx panels fast and affordable instead of months-long and bespoke.
Our Science →CLIA & CAP
CLIA is the U.S. federal standard for laboratory quality; CAP is the College of American Pathologists accreditation program. Gene Matrix testing runs in a CLIA-certified (ID 14D2276402), CAP-aligned, ISO 15189 laboratory — the same class hospitals use.
Our Science →Definitions Are Free. Answers Are $89/mo.
[ 11 Tests · One Membership ]
Every term in this glossary is analyzed somewhere in the Gene Matrix panel suite — BRCA and Lynch in GeneCancer, CYP genes in GenePGx, FTO and MTHFR in GeneDiet. One membership covers all 11 tests at $89/month ($59/mo billed annually, $712/yr), with results in 5–7 days (48-hour priority available). 30-day money-back guarantee.