Genetics Program

The Genetics Subcommittee of GEI is administratively led by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) on behalf of the NIH.

Implementation of GEI by the Genetics Subcommittee will begin with a Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) component that will comprise three elements: 1) genotyping facilities to perform high-throughput genotyping for GWA studies; 2) a coordinating center to provide analytic support, data quality assessment and quality control, and logistical management of GWA program; and 3) investigative groups that will address scientific questions using existing DNA samples from well-characterized subjects using GWA approaches. Curated data will be made available in a central, controlled-access database established by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) for free and broad research use.

GEI’s genetic component is not limited to the collection of GWA genotype data. Support for data analysis, replication and fine mapping studies, sequencing, functional studies, database development, and clinical translation are all included within GEI. In this way, the GEI genetics component differs from the Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN, described at http://www.fnih.org/GAIN/GAIN_home.shtml). The NIH-wide GEI Coordinating Committee recognizes, however, that the latter activities are all dependent on the data from high-throughput GWA genotyping and that acquisition and analysis of those data should be the focus of the early years of the GEI genetics program.

Initiatives related to GEI

People interested in GEI may also be interested in GAIN’s progress. GAIN is a public-private partnership of the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc. (FNIH) and includes partnerships with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the private sector. Applications for GAIN were submitted on May 9, 2006, and the projects selected for genotyping were announced at the American Society of Human Genetics annual meeting on October 10, 2006. The GAIN kick-off meeting and first analysis workshop will be held on November 29-30, 2006, in the Washington DC area. More information about the selected projects and workshop will be available on the GAIN web site.

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