Abstract
BackgroundNational and international efforts like the 1000 Genomes Project are leading to increasing insights in the genetic structure of populations worldwide. Variation between different populations necessitates access to population-based genetic reference datasets. These data, which are important not only in clinical settings but also to potentiate future transitions towards a more personalized public health approach, are currently not available for the Belgian population.ResultsTo obtain a representative genetic dataset of the Belgian population, participants in the 2013 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were invited to donate saliva samples for DNA analysis. DNA was isolated and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were determined using a genome-wide SNP array of around 300,000 sites, resulting in a high-quality dataset of 189 samples that was used for further analysis. A principal component analysis demonstrated the typical European genetic constitution of the Belgian population, as compared to other continents. Within Europe, the Belgian population could be clearly distinguished from other European populations. Furthermore, obvious signs from recent migration were found, mainly from Southern Europe and Africa, corresponding with migration trends from the past decades. Within Belgium, a small north-west to south-east gradient in genetic variability was noted, with differences between Flanders and Wallonia.ConclusionsThis is the first study on the genetic structure of the Belgian population and its regional variation. The Belgian genetic structure mirrors its geographic location in Europe with regional differences and clear signs of recent migration.
Highlights
National and international efforts like the 1000 Genomes Project are leading to increasing insights in the genetic structure of populations worldwide
Factors determining consent for former National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) participants to participate in the BelPHG-21 population genetic study To study the genetic structure and variability in the Belgian population, a subset of participants from the most recent NHIS, conducted on 10,829 inhabitants in 2013 [12], was invited to donate saliva samples for DNA analysis (Fig. 1)
Using the NHIS information related to demographics, education, employment, income, health behavior, lifestyle characteristics, physical and social environment, and wellbeing characteristics, we applied a predictive weighted binomial regression analysis to identify the factors that determined consent to participate in this study
Summary
National and international efforts like the 1000 Genomes Project are leading to increasing insights in the genetic structure of populations worldwide. Variation between different populations necessitates access to population-based genetic reference datasets These data, which are important in clinical settings and to potentiate future transitions towards a more personalized public health approach, are currently not available for the Belgian population. After the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003, international efforts were initiated to map human genetic variation between populations. This variation has been described for 26 populations worldwide via the 1000 Genomes Project [1, 2]. A population-based cross-sectional study, called BelPHG-21 (Belgian Public Health Genomics in the twenty-first century), was organized that aims at describing the genetic variability in the Belgian population and relating. It has the purpose to assess the health status and its distribution in the population and to describe the association of this health status with its main determinants [11]
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