A unique gene pool library has been established in Russia.

Such biobanks are being established worldwide

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At the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT), a Genomic Center has been established. It has created a database of molecular-genetic information about the residents of our country, serving as a sort of library for the genetic material of Russians. Such biobanks are currently being developed globally. The most renowned project is the UK Biobank, which contains detailed information on the genetics, health, and lifestyle of over 500,000 British volunteers.

- Ultimately, we aim to create an equivalent of the British Biobank, but we are just at the beginning of our journey, - says the head of the MIPT Genomic Center, Denis Gudkov. - We currently have a thousand records. A record includes not only genetic data but also biochemistry, health status information, and more. Starting with this is quite good; we can already work with these data and utilize them for developing new diagnostic tests.

- Can you explain, in simple terms, why such a biobank is necessary?

- Analyzing big data is essential for developing new diagnostic and treatment methods. In this vast sea of data, we are searching for new patterns and connections. The more complex the disease, the more intricate and targeted the treatment method must be.

- Why can't we use data from the British Biobank, as they have made their database available?

- For the analysis to be effective, it is crucial to study your own population; otherwise, diagnostic and treatment methods may not work well. For instance, we are genetically similar to Europeans, although there are differences. However, there is a significant gap between us and Asian populations. Certain genes and mutations may lead to pathogenic changes in our case, while they might have no impact on health for individuals from Asia. Conversely, there have been studies where Asian researchers claimed to have found a mutation causing a particular disease! Yet, in our case, this mechanism did not function. Therefore, it is vital to collect and analyze data from our own population. This approach enables the development of new preventive, diagnostic, and treatment tools that are effective for individuals with our genotype.

- At the same time, it is said that no two people in the world are identical, and thus there cannot be identical treatment methods for the same disease...

- What you are referring to is called personalized medicine. The establishment of the Genomic Center is a significant step toward this approach. Indeed, we differ greatly from one another at the genetic level, and medications behave differently when they enter our bodies. This raises the issue of individualizing drug dosage. This applies not only to expensive medications, like those for oncology, but even to something as common as headache medicine. How does this mechanism work? Once any drug enters our body, it starts to break down immediately because it is perceived as foreign. In some individuals, due to genetic characteristics, the drug is metabolized very quickly, leading to a loss of its effectiveness. In such cases, the dosage needs to be increased, as the therapeutic effect may be insufficient.

For others, the drug breaks down more slowly, and if the treatment is prolonged, the dosage must be reduced to avoid toxic effects, particularly for severe diseases like cancer, where medications can have strong side effects. There have been instances where individuals died not from the disease itself, but from the treatment—specifically, from incorrect dosage adjustments that did not consider individual characteristics. Thus, personalized medicine is fundamentally about genetics. Based on genetic predisposition data—even before a person becomes ill—we can recommend preventive measures. For example, avoiding certain foods, changing lifestyle habits, focusing on physical activity, or consulting a specialist. In other words, these genetic studies will not only facilitate effective treatments but also help prevent diseases altogether.

- How will you collect biological samples?

- Currently, individuals can donate their biological material to our genomic database at the MIPT Medical Center in Dolgoprudny. Additionally, we are collaborating with our partner, "Biotech Solutions," which is engaged in genetic testing and DNA research. In the future, we aim to unify all Russian biobanks into a single structure.

- What scientific and practical outcomes do you anticipate? What diseases can be conquered this way?

- Our group is focused on test systems and the development of new diagnostic methods. Therefore, we are more oriented toward practical outcomes. However, the biobank is primarily a tool that will assist not only our research but also other scientific groups. How were studies conducted in the past? Experimental groups were formed, volunteers were recruited, their samples were analyzed, and researchers observed the participants for years… This process is time-consuming and expensive. When a biobank with standardized samples exists, researchers can simply take a specific slice of data and conduct their analysis. This significantly accelerates and reduces the cost of research.

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