A unified Canadian clinical genomic database and community resource for standardizing and sharing genetic interpretations

Background

The purpose of the Canadian Open Genetics Repository (COGR) is to design technologies that will help medical researchers and physicians diagnose, treat and cure both rare and common diseases. This work belongs to genomic medicine, a healthcare field built on our growing knowledge of the DNA comprising the human genome.

Canadian scientists have been making exciting discoveries about the relationship between genetic mutations and disease. However, applying genetic discoveries clinically, in order to improve patient outcomes, requires an extremely complex set of skills and technical tools, many of which are still beyond our grasp. The particular challenge in this project concerns the development of technologies needed to handle the vast amounts of data produced in the analysis of human DNA.

Genomic medicine is still an emerging field. Scientists working at different institutions have developed lab techniques, naming systems and checklists that differ significantly from one to another. These scientists have in turn created specialized databases whose utility is compromised by the many differences between them. The result, until now, is that sharing such data across the biomedical community has been difficult if not impossible.

In order to unlock the potential benefits of these resources, the project team proposes to create a unified, open-access, clinical-grade genetic database, i.e., a large repository based on a commonly shared platform and designed to hold all types of information related to human gene DNA variants and their relationship to disease. This database would draw from the genetic holdings in place at clinical labs and hospitals across Canada.

Coming Soon

COGR is currently in development. If your institution is interested in participating, please contact us.