B4-1: An Overview of Kaiser Permanente's Research Program on Genes, Environment, and Health

Abstract

Background/Aims The Research Program on Genes, Environment, and Health (RPGEH) is a large, population-based resource for genetic epidemiology developed by scientists at the Kaiser Permanente (KP) Northern California Division of Research. The goal of this program is to link research data for 500,000 broadly consented health plan members, including longitudinal electronic medical records (EMR), genomic data from biospecimens, and environmental exposure data from surveys and geographic information system (GIS) databases in order to support research on many different health conditions. Methods In 2011, the RPGEH established a state-of-the-art biorepository. The KP clinical lab infrastructure is used to collect and transfer blood samples to the biorepository where saliva, serum, plasma, buffy coat and extracted DNA samples are processed and archived. The biorepository includes a facility for separating blood into components for storage, as well as DNA extraction and normalization. Storage capabilities include -80 C and -20 C freezers, an ambient storage unit and LN2 freezers. The biorepository was designed to store blood components for up to 500,000 health plan members. Although initially participant recruitment was by postal mail, electronic methods of recruitment have now been developed. The goal of this effort was to decrease the per person cost of contact and to recruit younger members. By leveraging the KP EMR, blood draw orders are now automatically entered by RPGEH staff for consenting participants. These samples are then stored in the RPGEH biorepository and tracked in a Laboratory Information Management System. Results A survey of adult health plan members has provided data on health-related behaviors and other risk factors for 430,000 RPGEH participants. To date, 190,000 biospecimens from consenting RPGEH participants have been collected. Genome-wide genotyping and telomere length analysis of 100,000 RPGEH participants have been performed. Conclusions At >200,000 participants (with specimens for >100,000 genotyped), the RPGEH is already an extremely unique and valuable resource.