Acknowledgements
1 Introduction
 1.1 Hypertension
  1.1.1 Essential Hypertension: A Complex Trait
  1.1.2 Hypertension Due to Single Gene Abnormalities
  1.1.3 Impact of Environment
  1.1.4 Human Essential Hypertension
  1.1.5 Genetic Polymorphisms in Essential Hypertension
 1.2 Genetic Studies in Essential Hypertension
  1.2.1 Model-Free (Nonparametric) Linkage
  1.2.2 Discordant Sibling Pair Analysis
  1.2.3 Association Studies
  1.2.4 The Candidate Gene Approach
 1.3 Catecholamines
  1.3.1 The Action of Catecholamines
  1.3.2 Feedback Loops
  1.3.3 Effects on Human Circulation
 1.4 Adrenergic System, Adrenoceptors
  1.4.1 The Adrenergic System
  1.4.2 The Adrenergic Receptor
  1.4.3 G-Protein Family
  1.4.4 Functionality and Signal Transduction
  1.4.5 Desensitisation
 1.5 Genetics of the β₂ Adrenoceptor
 1.6 Objective
2 Materials and Methods
 2.1 Techware
 2.2 Chemicals
 2.3 Solutions and Buffers
  2.3.1 Stock Solutions
  2.3.2 Other Solutions
 2.4 General Methods
  2.4.1 DNA Preparation from Whole Blood
  2.4.2 Nucleic Acid Quantification
  2.4.3 Phenol Extraction
  2.4.4 Ethanol Precipitation
  2.4.5 Oligonucleotide Purification
  2.4.6 Heat Denaturation of DNA
  2.4.7 Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
  2.4.8 Freeze–Squeeze–Technique
  2.4.9 Polyacrylamide Gels
 2.5 PCR Techniques
  2.5.1 Standard PCR Conditions
  2.5.2 Primer Selection
  2.5.3 Determination of Melting Temperatures
  2.5.4 The PCR Buffer
  2.5.5 Factors Affecting Specificity
  2.5.6 Fidelity of Amplification
  2.5.7 Used Materials and Precautions
  2.5.8 Oligonucleotide Quantification
 2.6 Sequencing Techniques
  2.6.1 Fluorescent Sequencing
3 The African Caribbean Study
 3.1 Methods of Detection of Single Point Mutations
 3.2 Study Population
 3.3 Genetic Analysis
  3.3.1 ARMS Technique
  3.3.2 Primer Design
  3.3.3 Protocol
 3.4 Statistical Analysis
 3.5 Results
4 The Caerphilly Study
 4.1 Study Population
 4.2 Genetic Analysis
  4.2.1 Nested PCR
  4.2.2 Protocol
  4.2.3 Cycle Sequencing
  4.2.4 Sequencing Chemistries
  4.2.5 Dye Primer Cycle Sequencing
  4.2.6 BigDye Terminator Cycle Sequencing
  4.2.7 Gel Preparation
  4.2.8 Preparing and Loading the Samples for Gel Electrophoresis
  4.2.9 Protocol and Run Conditions
 4.3 Statistical Analysis
  4.3.1 Qualitative Genotype and Haplotype Analysis
  4.3.2 Quantitative Genotypic Analysis
  4.3.3 Environmental Risk Factors for Hypertension
  4.3.4 Power of the Caerphilly Prospective Heart Study
 4.4 Results
5 Discussion
Appendix A
Bibliography
Index
List of Publications