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The Finnish disease heritage database (FinDis) update-a database for the genes mutated in the Finnish disease
Anne Polvi1, Henna Linturi, Teppo Varilo
1The Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM Technology Centre, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
The updated Finnish Disease Heritage Database (FinDis) now includes more genes and variants for rare monogenic diseases, enhancing diagnosis and research for these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Bioinformatics
- Rare Diseases
Background:
- The Finnish Disease Heritage Database (FinDis) was established in 2004 as a resource for rare monogenic diseases in Finland.
- The initial database contained data for 30 diseases and 405 causative variants.
- Significant advancements in genetic research since 1994 necessitated an update to the database.
Purpose of the Study:
- To update and expand the Finnish Disease Heritage Database (FinDis) with current genetic information.
- To enhance the database's utility for diagnosing rare monogenic diseases and supporting research.
- To provide a standardized platform for sharing national genetic variation data.
Main Methods:
- Collected and integrated updated information on genes and causative variants for rare monogenic diseases.
- Utilized the LOVD 3.0 platform for organizing and managing variant data.
- Developed a centralized portal and user interface to link disease, gene, and variant information.
- Open-sourced the software to facilitate adoption by other institutions.
Main Results:
- The updated FinDis database now includes 35 diseases, six additional genes, and over 1,400 new disease-causing variants.
- The database is hosted on the LOVD 3.0 platform for efficient data management and updates.
- A centralized portal provides a user-friendly interface for accessing linked disease, gene, and variant data.
- The open-sourced software enables other countries to establish similar national databases.
Conclusions:
- The enhanced FinDis portal is a valuable, centralized resource for rare monogenic diseases in Finland.
- The updated database will significantly aid in patient diagnosis and accelerate research into new cures.
- The open-source nature of the platform promotes international collaboration and standardization of genetic variation data.
Abstract:
The Finnish Disease Heritage Database (FinDis) (http://findis.org) was originally published in 2004 as a centralized information resource for rare monogenic diseases enriched in the Finnish population. The FinDis database originally contained 405 causative variants for 30 diseases. At the time, the FinDis database was a comprehensive collection of data, but since 1994, a large amount of new information has emerged, making the necessity to update the database evident. We collected information and updated the database to contain genes and causative variants for 35 diseases, including six more genes and more than 1,400 additional disease-causing variants. Information for causative variants for each gene is collected under the LOVD 3.0 platform, enabling easy updating. The FinDis portal provides a centralized resource and user interface to link information on each disease and gene with variant data in the LOVD 3.0 platform. The software written to achieve this has been open-sourced and made available on GitHub (http://github.com/findis-db), allowing biomedical institutions in other countries to present their national data in a similar way, and to both contribute to, and benefit from, standardized variation data. The updated FinDis portal provides a unique resource to assist patient diagnosis, research, and the development of new cures.
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