Among the powerful tools expected to aid LineaGen's efforts are strategic partnerships with U. researchers and use of the Utah Population Database, which has more than 10 million records from more than 6 million individuals in Utah, Idaho and surrounding states.

The database will be aided by "two powerful and complementary resources," according to publicist Kendall Thomson: the Utah Genetic Reference Project, with clinical and genetic data from 650 individuals in 47 Utah families who provided a reference set that has already been used as part of the Human Genome Project and the International HapMap Consortium, and use of the Electronic Medical Record data warehouse, which contains medical information that links to the Utah Population Database.

The resources the U. offers are already proven: They helped identify several cancer genes, including two linked to breast cancer and one to colon cancer.

"I think where the great payoff is will be in human and financial terms," said Prescott, who added that much has still to be decided. For instance, will the company set up a reference lab that can analyze lab samples and return test results or will they come up with diagnostic kits that can be administered, for example, in a doctor's office? It's too soon to say.

Leppert said none of the company's goals could be realized without the people of Utah, who are unequaled in their willingness to participate in medical research and data collection.

The U. will benefit from royalty and other forms of income to LineaGen, especially licensing, but the exact terms of the agreement are "both confidential and complex," although fairly typical, said Thomson.

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E-mail: lois@desnews.com