Data release and its utilization of diabetes-related Korean Reference Epigenome

Lee Kibaick, Choi Nak-Hyun, Park Soo-Jung, Kim Bong-Jo
Division of Genome Research, Center for Genome Science, KNIH, KCDC

Background: The Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH) has released 37 sets of diabetes-related epigenome on the International Human Epigenome Consortium (IHEC) data portal from 2015 until 2017. Epigenome is a complete set of epigenetic modifications that are reversible modifications on a genome or particular proteins, which affect the gene expression without altering the genome sequence.
Current status: Since 2012, KNIH has been collaborating with IHEC for the purpose of promoting human health and preventing diseases. The main goal of KNIH’s Korea Epigenome Project (KEP) is to produce 50 types of reference epigenomes involving primary cells related to chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and kidney disorders until 2018. IHEC is planning Phase II that includes data integration and comprehensive analysis for multi-omics after Phase I, which comprised the production of epigenome datasets. KNIH launched the Korean epigenome research group to establish the domestic utilization system of epigenome data and for multi-layer integrative analysis.
Future perspective: KNIH has conducted the production and analysis of epigenome in collaboration with IHEC. The integrative analysis of the epigenome will be the basis for the realization of precision medicine.

Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Epigenome, Genome, Chronic disease, International Human Epigenome Consortium