College of Medicine and First Genetic Trust Form Biobank
Data to Advance Study of Disease Risks Among People of African Descent

Howard University’s College of Medicine (HUCM) held a press briefing on May 27, to announce a partnership with First Genetic Trust, Inc. (FGT) to develop the first-ever massive databank of DNA of individuals of African descent. Called the Genomic Research in the African Diaspora Biobank or GRAD Biobank, the data will advance the study of genetic and biological bases for differential disease risk, progression and drug response.

“Howard University is especially pleased to be partnering with First Genetic Trust on this groundbreaking initiative,” said Floyd J. Malveaux, M.D., Ph.D., dean of HUCM. “The GRAD Biobank will provide an infrastructure that will enable Howard University and the research community to conduct urgently needed research on health issues that greatly affect the well-being of people of African descent. Our collaboration with First Genetic Trust will allow us to accelerate the development of the GRAD Biobank, using the most advanced technologies available.”

The GRAD Biobank will enroll approximately 25,000 individuals of African descent over a five-year period. Participants will provide associated biosamples, medical history and genetic data across diseases of significant importance like glaucoma, diabetes, prostate cancer and hypertension. HUCM will utilize the National Human Genome Center’s (NHGC) extensive genotyping and sequencing facilities in conjunction with FGT’s enTRUST® genetic banking system, a highly secured web-enabled infrastructure developed specifically for large-scale biobanking and translational research.

Participants will initially be recruited via HUCM’s clinics and physician networks. As the program grows, recruitment will be extended to HUCM’s alumni network, then to international locations via the enTRUST® platform.

“Howard University has historically been a vanguard of the African and African American community trust, and is therefore the most appropriate institution to develop this initiative,” said Georgia M. Dunston, Ph.D., chairman of microbiology and director of the NHGC at Howard. “In addition to producing and training leading physicians and health professionals, creating the database will allow our students and faculty to participate in and develop expertise in medical technologies of the future, while safeguarding the privacy and ensuring participation of our patients.”

Recruitment for the BioBank and associated research programs will be conducted in strict compliance with the policies set forth by the HUCM Institutional Review Board and government regulations, especially those related to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

“We are confident that this partnership will create a highly valuable resource for the global genetic and clinical research community, and ultimately, for patients of African descent,” said Arthur Holden, chairman and CEO of FGT.

About First Genetic Trust

Founded by leaders in the fields of pharmacogenetics, bioinformatics, and information systems technology, First Genetic Trust, a Chicago-based firm, is dedicated to enabling genetic research and the development of genetic/molecular-based medicines and diagnostics. FGT leverages its significant expertise in genetics, clinical research, bioinformatics, information technology, and regulatory compliance to provide genetic data banking and research services to pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and health care providers engaged in genetic research.

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