The incredible leaps in technology that now make high-speed genome sequencing possible are revolutionizing the hunt for genes and genetic variations associated with disease. A stunning series of recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified new candidate genes for a number of common diseases including breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes type I and II, obesity, Crohn's disease, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma, and asthma. This Genomics Select highlights several of the most recent GWAS and also explores how a genome-wide approach can be used to address intriguing questions in cell and molecular biology.