Cohort Profile: Estonian Biobank of the Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu

Abstract

The Estonian Biobank cohort is a volunteer-based sample of the Estonian resident adult population (aged ≥18 years). The current number of participants-close to 52000--represents a large proportion, 5%, of the Estonian adult population, making it ideally suited to population-based studies. General practitioners (GPs) and medical personnel in the special recruitment offices have recruited participants throughout the country. At baseline, the GPs performed a standardized health examination of the participants, who also donated blood samples for DNA, white blood cells and plasma tests and filled out a 16-module questionnaire on health-related topics such as lifestyle, diet and clinical diagnoses described in WHO ICD-10. A significant part of the cohort has whole genome sequencing (100), genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array data (20 000) and/or NMR metabolome data (11 000) available (http://www.geenivaramu.ee/for-scientists/data-release/). The data are continuously updated through periodical linking to national electronic databases and registries. A part of the cohort has been re-contacted for follow-up purposes and resampling, and targeted invitations are possible for specific purposes, for example people with a specific diagnosis. The Estonian Genome Center of the University of Tartu is actively collaborating with many universities, research institutes and consortia and encourages fellow scientists worldwide to co-initiate new academic or industrial joint projects with us.

Dominance Genetic Variation Contributes Little to the Missing Heritability for Human Complex Traits

“…We used SNP genotype data from three published GWASs, i.e., the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study (n ¼ 8,682 European Americans), 22 the population-based biobank of the Estonian Genome Center at the University of Tartu (EGCUT) study (n ¼ 10,652), 23 and the LifeLines (LL) study (n ¼ 13,386). 24 Informed consent was obtained from all subjects.…”

Elucidating the links between personality traits and diabetes mellitus: Examining the role of facets, assessment methods, and selected mediators

“…The sample was derived from the Estonian Biobank (EB) cohort (approximately 52,000 individuals), a volunteer-based sample of the Estonian resident adult population (Leitsalu et al, 2014 …”

Genome-Wide Analysis of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Metabolites Revealed Parent-of-Origin Effect on Triglycerides in Medium Very Low-Density Lipoprotein in PTPRD Gene

“…General practitioners and medical personnel in the special recruitment offices recruited adult volunteers throughout the country in the period of 2002-2010. At baseline, the GPs performed the standardized health examination of the participants, who also donated blood samples, where DNA, plasma, serum and white blood cells were immediately isolated [32].…”

“…This approach was successfully tested on anthropometric phenotypes and two genes were identified having POE on BMI [30]. As POEs are often associated with metabolic diseases such as gestational diabetes [31] and metabolic syndrome [32], we aimed to investigate POEs of NMR metabolites measured in blood serum. …”

“…General practitioners and medical personnel in the special recruitment offices recruited adult volunteers throughout the country in the period of 2002-2010. At baseline, the GPs performed the standardized health examination of the participants, who also donated blood samples, where DNA, plasma, serum and white blood cells were immediately isolated [32].The National FINRISK studies, held every 5 years, are population-based chronic disease risk factor monitoring surveys, conducted to monitor the health of the Finnish population among persons aged 25-74 at recruitment [33]. The participants are a random sample drawn from the population register, stratified according to geographical areas, sex and 10-year age groups to form a representative sample.…”