New results from the FinnGen research consortium demonstrate the undeniable benefits of Finnish health research environment for genomic research. Among the wealth of novel genetic discoveries are previously unknown genetic risk factors for many debilitating diseases. These findings have potential to facilitate the development of new therapies.

A large-scale biobank-based study performed in Finland has discovered several new disease genes as well as new insights on how known genetic factors affect disease. The study highlights an underappreciated complexity in the dosage effects of genetic variants.

Using data from more than 1,100 Finnish blood donors participating in FinnGen, researchers have created an atlas of over 10 million immune cells that links disease-associated genetic variants to the genes they control. The approach combines chromatin accessibility and gene expression data to reveal how genetic variation contributes to disease risk, helping researchers identify the molecular mechanisms underlying hundreds of diseases and health-related traits.