# Sepsis research: Heterogeneity as a foundation rather than an afterthought

## TL;DR

This paper highlights how sepsis is not a uniform disease and explores genetic factors that explain individual differences in response to it.

## Contribution

The study introduces a new approach to sepsis research by focusing on genetic heterogeneity and regulatory networks.

## Key findings

- Sepsis is shown to be a heterogeneous condition influenced by genetic variation.
- Burnham et al. identified genetic variants and regulatory networks linked to individual sepsis responses.
- This work may lead to the development of targeted interventions for sepsis.

## Abstract

Our understanding of sepsis has been hampered by the implicit assumption that sepsis is a homogeneous disease. In this issue of Cell Genomics, Burnham et al.1 have started to characterize the genetic variants and regulatory networks that underlie variations in the individual response to sepsis; this may eventually enable targeted intervention development.

Our understanding of sepsis has been hampered by the implicit assumption that sepsis is a homogeneous disease. In this issue of Cell Genomics, Burnham et al. have started to characterize the genetic variants and regulatory networks that underlie variations in the individual response to sepsis; this may eventually enable targeted intervention development.