The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched one of the most extensive collections of genetic and clinical data ever made freely available to researchers worldwide.

Called SHARe (SNP Health Association Resource), the Web-based dataset enables qualified researchers to access a wealth of data from large population-based studies, starting with the landmark Framingham Heart Study. The goal of SHARe is to accelerate discoveries linking genes and health, thereby advancing scientists’ understanding of the causes and prevention of cardiovascular disease and other disorders.

Framingham SHARe includes data on more than 9,300 participants spanning three generations, including over 900 families, who had their DNA tested for 550,000 genetic variations (single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs). In addition, the participants’ clinical data gathered during the study, such as test results or weight, are included. SHARe will enable researchers to relate study participants’ genetic variations with their clinical and laboratory test results. SHARe is accessed through the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes https://view.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/dbgap, a Web-based resource for archiving and distributing data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Researchers interested in applying for access to individual-level Framingham SHARe data should follow the directions at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/projects/gap/cgi-bin/study.cgi?id=phs000007.