It is a global leader in analysing and understanding the human genome. Using its unique expertise and population resources, deCODE has discovered genetic risk factors for dozens of common diseases. The purpose of understanding the genetics of disease is to use that information to create new means of diagnosing, treating and preventing disease. deCODE leads the world in the discovery of genetic risk factors for common diseases. Their gene discovery engine is driven by a unique approach and resources, including detailed genetic and medical information on some 500,000 individuals from around the globe taking part in their discovery work and proprietary statistical algorithms and informatics tools for gathering, analysing, visualizing and storing large amounts of data. Finding genetic risk factors for disease requires the ability to correlate 2 large sets of data: on variations in the sequence of the genome on the one hand, and on variations in phenotype or condition, such as a disease or some physical trait, on the other. Sequencing entire human genomes enables a detailed understanding of the rare as well as common variations that impact disease. deCODE is well positioned to lead the way in generating and analysing whole sequence data for large scale studies. Since its foundation in 1996, deCODE has been focused on meeting this challenge by using the most advanced DNA analysis technology to assemble as much data as possible across a large and well-defined population - and to mine it for correlations. Their track-record in gene discovery is testament to the robustness of their approach, from the era of linkage studies using microsatellite markers to the advent of whole-genome sequencing.
