We want to change the future of healthcare
The NL Genome Project is a local genetic research study.
By studying our province’s one-of-a-kind DNA and health information, we hope to discover better, safer medicines and improve how we treat and prevent diseases.
Join the mailing list to see what’s next!
Enter your email and name below to sign up, and be the first to hear about new developments with the NL Genome Project.
Here’s how it all works
The NL Genome Project is studying the DNA, medical records, and health information of 10,000 volunteers in Newfoundland and Labrador in this initial pilot phase.
Consent to Join the Study
Once you’ve decided to take part, you will complete and sign the consent form to enroll in the NL Genome Project and grant permission for us to use your medical records for research. Then, you’ll provide your contact information and fill out a health questionnaire.
Provide a Saliva Sample
Provide a saliva sample (less than half a teaspoon) by spitting in a tube. We’ll extract DNA from your saliva and analyze it using techniques like genotyping and sequencing.
We'll Study Your DNA
We'll combine and analyze the DNA, medical records, and health information from all our participants and look for patterns and genetic changes that could help us better understand health and disease.
Return Findings and Stay in Touch
Research-grade findings will be returned to your doctor to discuss with you and our genetic counsellor, if you choose to receive them. Personal traits will be shared directly with you.
Can I take part?
If you meet the study’s eligibility criteria and are a patient of a participating doctor, you can volunteer for the NL Genome Project!
The following doctors are participating in the NL Genome Project. Your doctor has to be listed to take part. If you are a patient of theirs, contact their office to get started!
Eligibility criteria
18 years of age or older- Have a valid MCP #
- Able to provide written or electronic informed consent
- Willing to be re-contacted
- Willing to have your coded data shared with researchers both inside and outside of Canada
Participating Doctors
We’ll keep you up to date when we add new doctors.
We hope to add more doctors in the future!
If you’d like, let us know your doctor’s name so we can keep you updated on their participation status, if any.
Putting
NL first
Sequence Bio is committed to benefiting the lives of individuals, families, and communities in Newfoundland and Labrador for generations to come.
We’ll share any discoveries from the NL Genome Project with researchers, policy makers, and doctors across the province, and return genetic findings to participants. By working together, we believe that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians can change lives at home and around the world.
Understand the genetic makeup of Newfoundland and Labrador
Inform better healthcare choices by returning findings to participants
Develop better, safer and more targeted medicines
Integrate precision medicine into our local healthcare system
Improve how we treat and prevent diseases
Design a larger research project in Newfoundland and Labrador
A homegrown opportunity
Newfoundland’s unique history and genetic makeup may make it easier to identify some underlying differences that may affect disease and health.
Unique population
Many common ancestors, large families and little in-migration have contributed to our unique genetic makeup.
High incidence of disease
Our population is associated with high rates of many inherited disorders and complex diseases, including some of the highest rates of type 1 diabetes and familial colorectal cancer in the world.
Comprehensive health records
By linking health information to genetics, we can get a fuller picture of health and disease that may help unlock deeper insights.
All of us at the NL Genome Project are committed to protecting the information you choose to share with us. We will not sell your information. We promise to be transparent about our information policies and practices, and will only use your information with your explicit permission.
Information that identifies you, like your name or birthday, is not used for research and is locked away in a separate encrypted database. Instead, you will only be identified by a unique Study Code when research is performed.
