SNP database goes public

Related tags Genetics Dna

Affymetrix releases into the public domain what it says is the
first significant SNP database that includes genotype data and
allele frequencies across the entire human genome.

Affymetrix has released a tranche of genotype data covering 120,000 validated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) into the public domain. The company said that the database is the first one of its scale that includes genotype data and allele frequencies for SNPs distributed across the entire human genome.

The 120,000 SNPs were genotyped in the same set of individuals, which will help researchers study the diversity of human variation and the genetic basis of disease and drug response, said Affymetrix."The SNP data represents a significant step forward for researchers because, while there are millions of SNPs in public databases, most have not been validated or tested in the same set of individuals,"​ said the company.

The database was created by Perlegen Sciences using Affymetrix' GeneChip technology and half of the SNPs it contains have never been released to the public before. And the initial release is just the beginning, said Stephen Fodor, Affymetrix' chief executive.

"Over time, we will put all of the SNPs from the Perlegen database into the public domain while also developing products that use both these and public SNPs. We believe this will aid and complement the public/private haplotype map effort led by the National Human Genome Research Institute,"​ he added.

Affymetrix is already using this SNP data to develop a product that will genotype 100,000 SNPs in a single experiment.

Researchers can download the SNP information from Affymetrix​' website as of now.

Related topics Preclinical Research Ingredients

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