Validation of genetic loci that influence the risk of lung cancer as a function of radon exposure - genetic typing.

Lung cancer is a serious illness that can be triggered by ionizing radiation, especially the inhalation of radon and radon derivatives. After smoking, radon is the second largest risk factor for the development of lung cancer. The radiation-induced lung cancer risk varies from person to person. Genetic factors affecting e.g. B. affect the DNA repair, modify the risk. Our own studies and studies from the literature have been able to determine genetic factors that increase or decrease the risk in connection with radiation.

In this project, genetic SNP markers are to be investigated in 10 already selected candidate genes. Already isolated degraded (<500 bp) DNA from normal formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lung tissue from 600 uranium miners is available as test material. The researcher must select a technique that is suitable for this material and for the question. It has been proven that this material cannot be examined using array techniques. A very suitable technique is the sequenome technique, but other techniques such as targeted sequencing of small PCR amplification products (100-300 bp) can possibly be used. The researcher's task is to establish a multiplex method that requires only small amounts of DNA and is suitable for validly genotyping degraded DNA from FFPE material. Then 500 samples are to be analyzed with this technique.

The genetic data for the statistical validation analysis are included in a parallel project that also checks the quality of the typing.