A wealth of novel lipid loci have been identified through a variety of approaches focused on common and lowfrequency
variation and collaborative metaanalyses in multiethnic populations. Despite progress in identification
of loci, the task of determining causal variants remains challenging. This work will undoubtedly be enhanced by
improved understanding of regulatory DNA at a genomewide level as well as new methodologies for interrogating
the relationships between noncoding SNPs and regulatory regions. Equally challenging is the identification of
causal genes at novel loci. Some progress has been made for a handful of genes and comprehensive testing of
candidate genes using multiple model systems is underway. Additional insights will be gleaned from focusing
on low frequency and rare coding variation at candidate loci in large populations. This article is part of a Special
Issue entitled: From Genome to Functio