CLSA releases first genomics data

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) is pleased to announce the availability of genomics data for approximately 9,900 participants.

This data release contains genotype data derived from nearly 9,900 CLSA participants using the Affymetrix Axiom array, followed by imputation to the Haplotype Reference Consortium. Quality assessment of the genetic data include marker and sample-based tests, as well as analyses of sex-chromosome abnormalities, population structure, and familial relatedness. 

The August 2018 genomics data release comprises both directly genotyped data for 794,409 genetic markers and whole-genome imputed data for 40 million genetic variants. 

The CLSA is a national cohort study that follows more than 50,000 participants across Canada over a period of 20 years after recruitment and presents a unique opportunity to study genetic and environmental contributions to human health and disease by providing information on the changing biological, medical, psychological, social, lifestyle, and economic aspects of their lives. The CLSA is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and is led by Dr. Parminder Raina of McMaster University, Dr. Christina Wolfson of McGill University, and Dr. Susan Kirkland of Dalhousie University. 

Genome-wide genetic data from an additional 20,000 individuals will be made available in future data releases. To learn how to access CLSA data, visit the Data Access Application Process page.