COVID Symptom Study Biobank 2025

• Research type

  Research Tissue Bank

• IRAS ID

  360228

• Research summary

  COVID Symptom Study Biobank

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/YH/0160

• Date of REC Opinion

  31 Oct 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion

• Data collection arrangements

  Informed consent is taken online and covers collection and sharing of data and samples with approved researchers. Biological specimens (such as blood and stool) are primarily collected by post. Data collected from participants and derived from their biological specimens will include phenotypic and healthcare experience data from self-reported questionnaires or from collaborative sources, sequenced data (GWAS, WGS), OMICS data and analysed or derived datasets from internal and collaborative analysis.

• Research programme

  The COVID Symptom Study (CSS) Biobank was established to support and accelerate research into COVID-19 and its effects by providing a rich resource of biological samples and linked health data. It builds on the success of the COVID Symptom Study App, launched in March 2020 by ZOE Ltd and King’s College London, which collected over 165 million daily symptom reports from more than 4 million users. This real-time data significantly informed national pandemic response and scientific understanding. The Biobank collects biological samples, such as blood and stool, from participants and links them with detailed data on health, symptoms, sociodemographics, genomics, and behaviour. This comprehensive dataset enables researchers to study the genetic and biological factors that influence COVID-19 severity, duration, and long COVID, including immune responses and the role of the microbiome. Governed by a dedicated Biobank Management Group and following ethical and operational standards established by the TwinsUK Biobank, the CSS Biobank upholds high levels of governance and accessibility. Anonymised data and samples are made available via a secure, interactive research platform, supporting both national and international scientific collaboration. The CSS Biobank aims to enhance understanding of COVID-19 and guide future public health research and policy.

• Storage license

  12522

• RTBTitle

  COVID Symptom Study Biobank

• Establishment organisation

  Department of Twin Research & Genetic Epidemiology

• Establishment organisation address

  3rd Floor, South Wing, Block D

  St. Thomas' Hospital Campus

  Westminster Bridge Road, London

  SE1 7EH