The Estonian Biobank’s journey from biobanking to personalized medicine
Abstract
Abstract Large biobanks have set a new standard for research and innovation in human genomics and implementation of personalized medicine. The Estonian Biobank was founded a quarter of a century ago, and its biological specimens, clinical, health, omics, and lifestyle data have been included in over 800 publications to date. What makes the biobank unique internationally is its translational focus, with active efforts to conduct clinical studies based on genetic findings, and to explore the effects of return of results on participants. In this review, we provide an overview of the Estonian Biobank, highlight its strengths for studying the effects of genetic variation and quantitative phenotypes on health-related traits, development of methods and frameworks for bringing genomics into the clinic, and its role as a driving force for implementing personalized medicine on a national level and beyond.
Article Details
Authors (64)
Lili Milani
Maris Alver
Sven Laur
Sulev Reisberg
Toomas Haller
Oliver Aasmets
Erik Abner
Helene Alavere
Annely Allik
Tarmo Annilo
Krista Fischer
Robin Hofmeister
Georgi Hudjashov
Maarja Jõeloo
Mart Kals
Liis Karo-Astover
Silva Kasela
Anastassia Kolde
Kristi Krebs
Kertu Liis Krigul
Jaanika Kronberg
Karoliina Kruusmaa
Viktorija Kukuškina
Kadri Kõiv
Kelli Lehto
Liis Leitsalu
Sirje Lind
Laura Birgit Luitva
Kristi Läll
Kreete Lüll
Kristjan Metsalu
Mait Metspalu
René Mõttus
Mari Nelis
Tiit Nikopensius
Miriam Nurm
Margit Nõukas
Marek Oja
Elin Org
Marili Palover
Priit Palta
Vasili Pankratov
Kateryna Pantiukh
Natalia Pervjakova
Natàlia Pujol-Gualdo
Anu Reigo
Ene Reimann
Steven Smit
Diana Rogozina
Dage Särg
Nele Taba
Harry-Anton Talvik
Maris Teder-Laving
Neeme Tõnisson
Mariliis Vaht
Uku Vainik
Urmo Võsa
Burak Yelmen
Tõnu Esko
Raivo Kolde
Reedik Mägi
Jaak Vilo
Triin Laisk
Andres Metspalu