Member Article

UK Biobank opens its doors in Newcastle

A nationwide medical research initiative kicks off in the North East today as part of a battle against a wide range of serious and life-threatening illnesses.

UK Biobank hopes that many of Newcastle’s 40-69 year olds currently being invited by letter to take part in the ambitious project will rise to the challenge to improve the health of future generations.

The project hopes to recruit 500 people a week from the surrounding area over the next six months and follow their health over the next 30 years or more.

The project aims to gather information on a range of diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia, depression, arthritis, osteoporosis, skin and lung disorders and many other life-threatening and debilitating conditions.

Professor John Burn, Medical Director and Head of the Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle University, said: “I know the people of Newcastle will support this amazing project. “I think it is a fantastic opportunity to put something back, and to do something very positive for future generations. I got my appointment in the post and will be there!

Dr Tim Sprosen, UK Biobank’s Chief Scientist, said: “I am very grateful to all those people who have so far agreed to join UK Biobank and I hope that many more will find the time to come along and be part of this project.”

UK Biobank asks for a small donation of blood and urine and, with participants’ permission, it will track their health over the next 30 years and more. By comparing aspects of nature and nurture it aims to reveal why some people get particular diseases and others do not.

Professor Rory Collins, UK Biobank’s Principal Investigator, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to do something very positive for future generations. I can’t think of a better way to spend 90 minutes than attending our assessment centre and knowing that your altruistic act will have a direct impact on people’s health in the future.”

For more information about the UK Biobank project, visit www.ukbiobank.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .