UK Biobank is a major UK medical research initiative, and a registered charity in its own right, with the aim of improving the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of serious and life-threatening illnesses – including cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, arthritis and forms of dementia. To do this vital work we need your help. We are now recruiting 500,000 people aged 40-69 from across the country to take part in this project. Find out more…
- Information leaflet [PDF 333k]
- Further information leaflet [PDF 287k]
- Participants' invite letter [PDF 263k]
- UK Biobank Report and Financial Statements September 2009 [PDF 195k]
UK Biobank has the support of leading scientists from the UK and around the world. We are funded by the Wellcome Trust, the UK’s largest independent medical research charity, the Medical Research Council, the Department of Health, the Scottish Executive and the Northwest Regional Development Agency. We also have the backing of many of the UK’s major medical research charities, including the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK. The project is also supported by the National Health Service.UK Biobank is also working closely with Generation Scotland, a complementary study underway in Scotland. Find out more about 'two studies, one vision' [Word Doc 22k] in Scotland. For more information on Generation Scotland, visit the Generation Scotland website.UK Biobank's Cardiff assessment centre was opened by Wales' First Minister Rhodri Morgan. Follow this link to view the Cardiff assessment centre opening ceremony.
UK Biobank has undergone rigorous review and consultation at all levels, which began with a preliminary feasibility phase in 2000 and 2001. This ultimately led to a pilot study which took place between March and June 2006, recruiting 4,000 participants from South Manchester. Key findings from this work have allowed us to refine and improve the recruitment process. A much more detailed review of the work that has gone in to developing UK Biobank can be found here…