The UCL BioResource initiative to recruit volunteers has hit a huge milestone and now has over 2,500 recruits.
The UCL BioResource aims to gather 10,000 DNA samples from volunteers and patients at UCL partner hospitals to help researchers find out how genes influence disease. Researchers will recall volunteers based on their DNA (genotype) and by other factors including gender, age and lifestyle, matching them to appropriate research studies.
The national BioResource project has a core base of 20,000 volunteers, with plans to increase to over 100,000 by 2017.
The UCL BioResource will be key to research on genes and disease. Participation is open to anyone over the age of 16. Volunteers and patients are asked donate their DNA via a blood or saliva sample. The sample will be processed and be used to extract a sample of their DNA which will be stored for future analysis. Volunteers will be asked for their consent to be contacted if and when future research projects need people with their genetic make-up.
The larger the UCL Bioresource becomes the more useful a resource it is for researchers. The UCL Bioresource team therefore regularly hold recruitment stands and visit local organisations to recruit new volunteers.
For queries about the UCL BioResource, including how to participate, call 0203 447 5369 or e-mail uclbioresource@ucl.ac.uk
