In the context of genetic research, what is a proband?

A proband refers to the individual displaying the characteristic or trait that is being studied in genetic research. This individual serves as the starting point or reference for investigating familial patterns of inheritance for a particular condition. In the context of a study, the proband's genetic data may be analyzed to understand how the condition manifests in family members, potentially leading to insights about genetic predispositions and the relationships between genes and traits. Thus, the proband is crucial in tracing the lineage and understanding the heritability of specific traits or disorders.