China to create huge DNA sequencing database

NANJING: A super-sized DNA sequencing platform will be built in Nanjing, capital of East China’s Jiangsu province, in order to create a genetic information database for ethnic Chinese, according to the provincial health authority.

The DNA project is part of the National Health and Medicine Big Data (Nanjing) Centre, a six-billion yuan (RM3.83bil) project under construction in Nanjing’s Jiangbei New Area, said Lan Qing, deputy director of the provincial health and family planning commission.

Initially, health information on about 80 million people will be stored at the centre, Lan said.

“When the facilities are ready, the designed capacity for DNA sequencing will be up to 400,000 to 500,000 samples per year,” he said.

The DNA sequencing project will be undertaken by the state-owned Yangzi Group, Southeast University and Nanjing Medical University.

Researchers intend to study mutations related to major diseases, look for interactions between genes and the environment, and provide statistical support for diagnosis of major diseases, Lan said.

The database is expected to be complete in around four years, he said. — China Daily/Asia News Network

When the facilities are ready, capacity for DNA sequencing will be up to 400,000 to 500,000 samples per year.

Lan Qing