We all know that you inherit many things from your ancestors, but back disorders? I found the following press release to be quite interesting:
NEW YORK – The molecular diagnostics company Axial Biotech has reached an agreement with the University of Utah that allows it to use the university's genealogical and family history database to study genetic associations for back disorders, the firm said today.
The Salt Lake City-based company will use the Utah Population Database and other genetic resources to expand the indications and patient population for its ScoliScore AIS prognostic test, which determines the risk of progressive scoliosis. The company also will use the database to develop tests for degenerative disk disease and other spine disorders.
The UPDB includes 6 million records with genealogical and family history data, including information for use in genetic, epidemiological, demographic, and public health studies.
Axial said that it will use the UPDB data alongside its own GenDB genealogical database, which contains multi-generational records of over 30 million ancestors and descendants of Utah settlers.
"Through the mapping of a disease passed on from family member to family member, the University's proprietary datasets further accelerate our ability to identify and validate genetic markers that can be used to develop diagnostic tests that allow for a more personalized and a more accurate approach to spine care," Axial's CEO, John Climaco, said in a statement.
Financial terms of the agreement were not released.
