Russia to Expand National Genetics Database to Ensure Treatment for Various Ethnic Groups
By Eugene Gerden
March 11, 2026 | Russia is significantly expanding the existing national database of genetic variant frequencies of the domestic population in a move to improve treatment of some socially important diseases and reduce the mortality rate from them.
According to official statistics of the Russian Ministry of Health, 80% of deaths in Russia are related to socially significant diseases, which include diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and HIV. In case of some of these diseases, the mortality rate among Russians is very high, reaching the world’s highest figures in some ethnic groups. Local state officials believe more research is needed at the genetic and population level in the country.
Serious work has already begun. During the period of 2020-2024 Russia completed a genome-wide study covering more than 200,000 local people. This resulted in the creation of the country’s largest database (and one of the largest in the world) of genetic variants of local people.
Currently Russia is working on the second stage of the project, which involves a significant expansion of the existing database. The project is implemented by the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia (FMBA) and involves the inclusion of genetic data of an additional 80,000 people.
According to earlier statements from Veronika Skvortsova, head of FMBA (and a former Minister of Health of Russia), an additional database is currently being developed that will contain genetic variants of more than 80,000 Russians. In contrast to the first stage of the project, which focused on analyzing data of generally healthy people, this time particular attention will be paid to the collection of data from patients suffering from socially significant diseases. As during the first stage of the project, the data will be collected from patients from different ethnic groups.
The project is very important for the country. Currently Russia is home to more than 190–194 ethnic groups, which makes it one of the most multinational in the world. While Russians accounts for approximately 81% of the population, dozens of indigenous people groups live in the country, along with large diasporas. For many of them, the mortality rate from certain diseases is significantly higher than average Russian figures and requires additional analysis and research.
Researchers plan to create a genome of a typical member of a specific ethnic group. Within the study, scientists will analyze complete genomes of Russians suffering from various diseases, living in different regions of the country, and that are members of different ethnic groups.
Veronika Skvortsova has high hopes for the project and its second stage, as, she says, its successful implementation will make the treatment of many serious diseases in Russia more efficient.
“The expanded domestic genetics database allows [us] not only to conduct highly accurate risk assessments for developing genetically determined diseases and pathological conditions, but also ensures the design of highly specific diagnostic and prognostic methods. It also provides us an opportunity for identification of molecular genetic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of orphan and widespread socially significant diseases, and to develop personalized therapy technologies. Based on the developed database, it is possible to create a personalized, precise genetic profile for any participant in whole-genome studies, with the ability to assess the risk of developing monogenic and polygenic chronic human diseases,” Skvortsova explained.