GDBIG: the first birth cohort genomic database and platform facilitating intergenerational genetic research

High-quality genome databases derived from large-scale family-based birth cohorts are essential resources for investigating genetic determinants affecting early-life traits and the impact of early-life environments on the health of both parents and offspring. Here, we have established the genome database of Born in Guangzhou Cohort Study (BIGCS), name as GDBIG, which represents the first birth-cohort-based genomic database in China and is designed to facilitate generational genetic research, based on the Phase I results of BIGCS, that contains the low-coverage ([~]6.63x) whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data and numerous pregnancy phenotypes of 4,053 Chinese participants. The participants were from 30 out of 34 administrative divisions of China, covering Han and 12 minority ethnic groups. Currently, GDBIG provides a comprehensive range of services, including allele frequency inquiries for 56.23 million variants across two generations, a genotype imputation server featuring a high-quality family-based reference panel, and a GWAS meta-analysis interface for various maternal and infant phenotypes. The GDBIG database addresses the dearth of Asian birth-cohort-based genomic resources and provides a valuable platform for conducting genetic analysis online or through application programming interfaces at http://gdbig.bigcs.com.cn/.