London (PTI): The discovery of ten new genes linked to body height by an international consortium of scientists may hold new possibilities for people suffering from growth problems.

The researchers, part of the recently formed international consortium to study height and obesity-related traits (GIANT, Genetic Investigation of ANthropometric Traits), discovered ten new genes that influence body height.

Published in Nature Genetics, the research provides new insights into biological pathways that are important for human growth.

It could have relevance for patients with inherited growth problems, or with problems in bone development, because some of the newly discovered genes have rare mutations, known to be associated with anomalous skeletal growth.

The research based on data from more than 26,000 study participants verified two already known genes while discovering ten new genes. Altogether they explain a difference in body size of about 3.5 centimeters, the German Research Center for Environmental Health said in a release.

The report, however, said further functional studies are needed to completely elucidate the biological mechanisms behind this growing list of genes related to height.

The international group of scientists included those from the German Research Center for Environmental Health and researchers from the Broad Institute of the MIT, Harvard University, Cambridge.