Macrogen: Northeast Asia Reference Database

Macrogen of Korea has released the Northeast Asian Reference Database (NARD). It includes whole-genome sequencing and genetic variant data for a panel of 1,779 individuals, including 850 Koreans, 384 Mongolians, 396 Japanese, 91 Chinese, and 58 Hong Kong residents, making it the largest reference panel representing those countries, according to the company. Macrogen expects the database will help improve the accuracy of imputation in genome-wide association studies and predict disease based on polygenic risk scores. Early next year, the company plans to release a second reference panel, from 10,000 individuals.