Vrije University
Avera McKennan has developed a formal working agreement for further collaboration with Vrije University (VU) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Through the agreement, the Avera Institute for Human Genetics will be the genetics lab that will perform not only all of the genotyping for the Netherlands Twin Register, but also the genotyping for future genetics research in partnership with VU. Our two institutions will work together to advance research in genetics and genetic epidemiology.
The Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) was established in 1987 and was designed to provide insight into how genetics and the environment influence individual differences. The NTR examines the contribution of hereditary predisposition to such characteristics as personality, development, disease and risk factors for disease. Since the NTR began, about 7,000 sets of twins between ages 15 and 70 and 28,000 sets if twins between birth and age 15 have registered.
Click here to learn more about the Netherlands Twin Register.
Eppley Cancer Center
Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center has partnered with the University of Nebraska Medical Center Eppley Cancer Center to conduct cancer research. This collaboration brings cancer and genetics experts together to develop improved prevention and treatment strategies. Currently, registries have been developed for breast cancer and thyroid tumors and cancer.
The Northern Great Plains Oncology Network establishes a support network for breast cancer care in a four-state region, including South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota and Wyoming. The purpose of the program is to collect data, as well as blood and tissue samples, to determine what factors may contribute to breast cancer occurence and what genes are involved in the successful treatment of breast cancer. Click here to learn more about the Northern Great Plains Oncology Network.
The Thyroid Tumor and Cancer Registry (TCCR) was designed to develop prevention and treatment strategies for thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer. Eligible Avera McKennan patients are able to participate in the registry to help advance the research on thyroid tumors and thyroid cancer. Click here to learn more about TCCR.
Our Partners
The Avera Institute for Human Genetics strongly believes in collaborating with others. Bringing experts together is the best way to learn and ultimately discover new treatments, therapies, etc. To this end, the Avera Institute for Human Genetics has developed relationship with experts in their fields throughout the region, across the nation, and around the world.
