FinnGen combines genome and health data to understand human diseases

FinnGen is the largest medical research project in Finland, whose principal aim is to improve our understanding of the genetic background of diseases. By constructing a unique large-scale genomic and health resource, FinnGen strives to enable ambitious study designs - not only for basic genetic research, but also for drug discovery and the implementation of genome medicine in clinical practice.

Summary and goals

Abstract illustration of genome and health data.

Key figures

2017 - 2027

Timeline

29

Partners

~150 M€

Budget

Consortium

FinnGen is a partnership between Finnish partners from the academic and public sector and international industry partners. FinnGen is based on the idea of a cooperation model, where partners join forces to approach drug development using genetic discoveries. The Steering Committee and Scientific Committee oversee the FinnGen study. Each partner organisation has a representative in both committees.

National impact

FinnGen has created a unique genome and health data resource that can be used widely to boost the activities of the Finnish health research ecosystem. The genome data produced during the project is returned to the Finnish biobanks, and will remain available for future research.

A light sign with the word open. Pexels/Pixabay

Open science

In order to make the biggest possible contribution to global biomedical research, complete results and summary statistics of the FinnGen core analyses are made available publicly to the whole scientific community following a one year embargo.

A close-up of a dartboard with a yellow dart stuck perfectly in the bullseye (FlitsArt/Pixabay).

Research highlights

The many research findings made by FinnGen and its partners demonstrate the links between genes and health and increase our understanding of the genetic drivers of human diseases, pinpointing possible targets for therapies.