Your task: You are doing research in human gene function. Within this context you apply cutting edge technology. Data have been generated using animal models and cell cultures.

Your need: You wish to validate your results within a meaningful human model system. But you neither have access to human DNA or tissue nor to clinically relevant functional proband data.

Our support: You gain access to our proprietary HealthTwiSt-Registry – a unique combination of “living biobank” and a steadily growing collection of twin probands. We assist you in realization of your genetic and scientific studies, personalized to your specific needs and including statistical analysis of resulting data. Our comprehensive solutions are based on our longstanding scientific achievements elucidating complex genetic disease.

We provide

1. Sequencing of your candidate genes in a small sample to define the most prevalent genetic variants (SNPs)
2. Extraction of phenotypes from the HealthTwiSt-Registry (e.g. cardiovascular and metabolic data sets)
3. Alternatively, twin recruitment on short notice based on the HealthTwiSt-Registry
4. Genotyping of probands
5. Association analyses for quantitative functional analyses of your candidate genes

Benefits of twins-based analyses

• Small sample size, as interference by age, prenatal and family environment and false paternities is reduced
  • 40% less time necessary (according to requirements complete studies as of three months)
  • Reduction of expenses
• Highly motivated probands
  • Fast recruitment
  • Superior data quality
  • Possibilities for follow-up studies, extension of existing datasets and samples
• Multitude of approaches (linkage, assoziation, imprinting, gene-environment-interaction)
  

• Numerous proband DNAs
• Diverse tissue samples (e.g. blood, saliva, skin biopsies, adipose tissue)
• Extensive clinical data sets (e.g. cardiovascular and metabolic system) for retrospective analysis
• Collection of new clinical data

• Acquisition of relevant parameters
• Collection of biological samples
• Studies within the framework of established collaborations with university hospitals
• Complete solutions for data acquisition and statistical evaluation

• Building upon the advantages of twin studies (e.g. genetic factor analyses)
• Quantitative trait analyses
• Assoziation analyses
• Linkage analyses
• Efficacy markers concerning prevention and therapy

• Twin and family management
• Document and questionnaire management
• Event management / automated procedures
• Lab data management (i.a. sample storage, encoding)
• Repeated measures and time-dependent data
• Clinical phenotype data management

Conclusion: