Databases, Biobanks and International Consortia: Major Resources for Human Population Genomics and Biological Anthropology

Abstract

The Human Genome Project, together with the subsequent advent of diverse repositories for storing, sharing, and analyzing biological data, represented a revolution in the way genetic research is conducted. The overwhelming landscape of omics data resources available today provides an exceptional opportunity to drive innovations in human genetics. Here, we report an updated compilation of 117 open-access and active resources containing DNA, RNA, protein and phenotypic data, viewed through the lens of a population geneticist. A deep inspection of these resources from both spatial and temporal perspectives allows us to identify trends in the use of large-scale biological data, as well as the current and future challenges in the field—including the implementation of new technologies, the call for greater diversity in the sampled populations, and the imperative role of bioethics. Addressing these issues requires the integration of biology and medicine, along with the crucial insights gained from population-based research.