Registro Nazionale Gemelli: Istituzione, Linee di Ricerca, Procedure Generali e Strumenti Operativi di Gestione (Italian Twin Register: Establishment, Research Projects, General Procedures and Management Tools)

摘要

Twins are a valuable resource for genetic epidemiology. The classical twin method relies on the comparison between monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs, and allows to estimate the relative weight of genetic and environmental influences on human traits and diseases. Recently, the completion of the human genome sequence and the identification of its variants have given further input to twin-based genetic research, enabling novel applications especially in epigenetics. This report describes the Italian Twin Register, from the establishment to the latest developments. The Register is held at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Surveillance and Health Promotion of the Istituto Superiore di Sanita (the National Institute of Health in Italy). Special emphasis is given to the procedures for the recruitment of twin cohorts, as well as on the tools for the collection and management of epidemiological data and biological material. The main research areas of the Register, along with some relevant results, are also illustrated.