Co-Principal Investigator of the National Institute of Aging Repository, Co-Principal Investigator of the NHGRI Sample Repository for Human Genetic Research, Principal Investigator of the NEI-AREDS Repository, and Senior Scientist on the NIGMS Human Genetic Cell Repository
“It is exciting to work in a field – and at an institute – so dedicated to harnessing our understanding of the human genome to improve human health. Our contribution to the 1000 Genomes Project, which will create the most detailed catalogue of human genetic variation, is one more opportunity to advance our mission.”
Lorraine H. Toji, PhD, is co-principal investigator of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) Sample Repository for Human Genetic Research at Coriell. This biobank of cell lines and DNA includes samples for the International HapMap and 1000 Genomes Project collections. The HapMap and 1000 Genomes projects continue to be a key resource for researchers searching for genes affecting health, disease, and responses to drugs and environmental factors.
Lorraine is also co-principal investigator of the National Institute of Aging Repository and principal investigator of the NEI-AREDS Repository.
For many years Lorraine supervised the DNA group that supplies the scientific community with high-quality DNA for research. The focus on quality is a hallmark of Coriell. Quality control studies include identity verification of cell cultures and DNA, and molecular characterization of somatic cell hybrids by PCR with markers specifically mapped to particular portions of individual chromosomes. Verification that each sample is correctly identified is a requirement for passing quality control.
Lorraine earned her master's degree from Wayne State University. She returned to graduate school at Stanford University, before transferring to earn her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
