UK Biobank: a large scale prospective epidemiological resource
Research type
Research Tissue Bank
IRAS ID
299116
Contact name
Nicola Doherty
Contact email
Research summary
UK Biobank: a large scale prospective epidemiological resource of 500,000 people aged 40-69 from around the UK.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0157
Date of REC Opinion
18 Jun 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
Since 2006, UK Biobank has collected an unprecedented amount of biological and medical data on half a million people, aged between 40 and 69 years old and living in the UK, as part of a large-scale prospective study. With their consent they regularly provide blood, urine and saliva samples, as well as detailed information about their lifestyle which is then linked to their health-related records to provide a deeper understanding of how individuals experience diseases.
Each participant provided their written consent to confirm their willingness to take part and agreed to the following:
• That they may be re-contacted by UK Biobank (e.g. to answer some more questions and/or attend another assessment visit), but this would be optional.
• To give permission for access to their medical and other health-related records, and for long-term storage and use of this and other information about them, for health-related research purposes (even after incapacity or death).
• To give permission for long-term storage and use of biological samples for health-related research purposes (even after incapacity or death).
• That they understood that none of their results would be given to them (except for some measurements during the visit) and that they would not benefit financially from taking part. Participation in the study was entirely voluntary.Samples are stored at UK Biobank (in Stockport, Reading, Newcastle and Bristol)and the NIHR National Biosample Centres (in Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire).
Research programme
UK Biobank is large-scale biomedical database and research resource, containing in-depth genetic and health information from half a million UK participants. The database, which is regularly augmented with additional data, is globally accessible to approved researchers and scientists undertaking vital research into the most common and life-threatening diseases. UK Biobank’s research resource is a major contributor to the advancement of modern medicine and treatment and has enabled several scientific discoveries that improve human health. The data – the largest and richest dataset of its kind – is anonymised and made widely accessible by UK Biobank to researchers around the world who use it to make new scientific discoveries about common and life-threatening diseases – such as cancer, heart disease and stroke – in order to improve public health.
Storage license
12002
RTBTitle
UK Biobank: a large scale prospective epidemiological resource of 500,000 people aged 40-69 from around the UK.
Establishment organisation
UK Biobank Limited
Establishment organisation address
1-4 Spectrum Way
Adswood
Stockport
SK3 0SA