Tuscaloosa VA to Take Part in One of Largest Gene Studies

The Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center has been chosen to participate in one of the largest studies to focus on how genes play into a person’s general health. Over the next four years, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hopes to get blood samples from 1 million American veterans, which will be coded and stored in what will be the largest secure bio-repository in the U.S.

These blood samples, paired with an electronic health record through the VA health system, will be used to examine how certain genes play into a person’s health over their lifetime, said Dr. Lori Davis, associate chief of staff research and development at the Tuscaloosa VA. The blood samples, about 2 teaspoons of blood each, will be used for research over the next 20 years...