Donor DNA Databank

The Generation Scotland Donor DNA Databank (GS:3D) is a £170,209 project funded by the Chief Scientist Office Biomedical and Therapeutic Research Committee. The aim of GS:3D was to collect thousands of DNA samples from blood donors in Scotland for use in genetic research. Recruitment to the project was successfully completed in 2008. For a summary click here, and an update click here.

A centralised collection of control DNA samples

GS:3D has built up a large, well characterised collection of human control DNA samples for use by researchers. This will lead to an improvement in the statistical power of many human genetics studies and avoid duplication of effort and expense.

Human genetic association studies can be hampered by the requirement to collect large numbers of appropriate control DNA samples. While case samples are necessarily unique to each disease study, the same control samples can be used across many studies if appropriately collected and characterised. The selection of control samples can influence the success of genetic association studies, but until now the choice of control samples from the Scottish population has been very limited. GS:3D provides access to a centralised collection of well maintained stocks of control DNA obtained with consent from the Scottish population.

Thousands of DNA and plasma samples from blood donors

Recruitment to the the project was completed in 2008 by which time over 5,000 samples had been collected from blood donors attending Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service Donor Centres and mobile blood donation sessions across Scotland. Immediately before giving blood, potential participants were provided with a leaflet describing the aims of GS:3D and an information sheet explaining what taking part involved. After being given time to ask questions, volunteers were asked to fill in a consent form, answer a short questionnaire and allow part of their blood sample to be used for extraction of DNA and plasma for storage.

For more information about the samples and data currently available, and how to access them, please see the Generation Scotland Resources page.