gms | German Medical Science

The GSF - National Research Center for Environment and Health has established the population-based KORA (Cooperative health research in the Region of Augsburg) platform. In this framework four large population-based cross-sectional studies with about 18,000 participants have been conducted. Moreover, a biological specimen bank was established in order to enable researchers to perform epidemiologic research with respect to molecular and genetic questions.

Within the National Genome Research Network (NGFN) the KORA-pool of population controls was already used for more than 30 studies in different molecular working fields. Beginning in fall 2004 this resource has been opened for other external researchers, under the name KORA-gen [Ref. 1]. The objective of KORA-gen is to provide access to information about available population controls for genetic studies as well as provision of DNA samples, genotypic and phenotypic data. Within KORA-gen the following prerequisites of a successful genetic-epidemiological research are fulfilled:

• sufficiently large number of participants,
• well characterized disease phenotypes and intermediary phenotypes,
• information about environmental factors,
• genomic DNA, serum, plasma and urine, as well as EBV immortalized cell lines from a subsample of 1,600 participants are available.

The KORA-gen infrastructure covers aspects of study design, sampling and matching, DNA handling and determination of genetic markers, as well as the provision of appropriate data structures and the support in statistical analyses. This is achieved through the development of a web-based information resource and by providing competent individual counselling and assistance. The genotyping and other molecular analyses are done in cooperation with the Genome Analysis Centre of the GSF and with other genotyping centres within the NGFN. The statistical consulting is done by using the expertise of the Munich Centre for Genetic Epidemiological Methods (GEM) of the NGFN.

In the first phase of the project an internet-portal for genetic control populations has been implemented [Ref. 2]. The portal was made publicly available in April 2005. Partners can choose genetic controls based on age, gender and basic phenotype information. This automatic pre-filtering allows for a more informed choice of controls that can further be detailed through individual counselling. Currently the underlying KORA-gen database is further developed. In future the static phenotype and biosamples’ databases will be transformed into a dynamic web-based system. All genotypes are fed back into the common database. This gradual accumulation will add significant value to the overall dataset. One objective is to use the dataset to discover new associations and patterns in the data by applying systematically modern analysis methods. In keeping and administrating the central database KORA-gen acts as a trustee and information broker.