What is an rsID Number?

Scientists have two ways to name SNPs (genetic variants). First, they name them by their location in the genome. Second, each SNP is given a unique ID number called the reference SNP cluster ID (rsID).

Let’s look at the BDNF SNP rs6265. 20% of people have the ‘T’ variant at rs6265, which may reduce production of the BDNF protein.

Sometimes, all you see in a genotype file is something like “Chromosome 11 Position 27658369,” which refers to the 27658369th base on chromosome number 11. This is still rs6265.