KORA-gen is a resource for genetic epidemiological research,
based on the KORA platform (Cooperative Health Research in the
Region of Augsburg). Biosamples and phenotypic characteristics
as well as environmental parameters of 18,000 adults from
Augsburg and the surrounding counties are available. KORA-gen
can be used by the projects of the National Genome Research
Network (NGFN). Interested parties can inform themselves
interactively via internet about the available data and the
rules of access (www.gsf.de/KORA-gen). Basic tools to perform
genetic epidemiology are detailed information about the disease
phenotype, and biological samples for molecular research.
However, these minimum requirements might be not sufficient for
successful results. Genetic epidemiology mainly deals with
complex diseases. On the one hand, most of them are relatively
frequent in the population. On the other hand, they are
polygenic in origin, with several genes involved, in addition to
environmental influences like lifestyle and conta