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2015/11/23

The University of Tokyo Starts User Participatory Genome Research

University Journal Online Editorial Department

　The Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, in collaboration with DeNA Life Sciences (President Jun Oi, Tokyo) of the healthcare business, will start user-participatory genomic research using the Internet in January 2016.This type of industry-academia collaborative genome research is said to be unprecedented in Japan, and it seems that there are expectations for the enhancement of genetic testing and the development of disease prevention methods.

According to DeNA Life Sciences, the subjects of the survey are users who have been tested by the genetic testing service "My Code" operated by the company.Of these, 20 items from those who agreed to this study, such as height, weight and other physique, tobacco and alcohol, coffee preference, dry eye, androgenetic alopecia, influenza and other illnesses, hair color and earlid shape. Ask them to answer the above questionnaire survey.

　Analyze the obtained answers and genetic information to search for related SNPs (*).Through this, we aim to build a risk prediction model for diseases and constitutions for which no relevant SNP has been found in Japanese.
For example, regarding dry eye, we will search for SNPs that determine individual differences in dry eye symptoms based on the answers to questionnaires such as current eye conditions, whether or not contact lenses are used, and the usage of personal computers and smartphones, as well as lifestyle habits. Analyze the relationship between.

　Satoru Miyano, director of the Human Genome Center, Institute of Medical Science, the University of Tokyo, said, "If big data in which citizens participate in research moves toward the realization of a healthy and long-lived society, the results will be returned to the citizens." We are calling for cooperation.

* SNP is a single nucleotide polymorphism and is read as snip.Human genomic DNA consists of about 30 billion bases, which means that one base is replaced by another postponement from a standard base sequence.

Source:[DENA Co., Ltd.] Genetic testing service "MYCODE" User-participation-type genome research using the Internet Started in earnest in collaboration with the Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo

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