A major new initiative was launched this month to gather 10,000 DNA samples from volunteers and patients at UCL partner hospitals to help researchers find out how genes influence disease.
Volunteers and patients who are willing to participate in research studies investigating links between genes, the environment, health and disease will donate their DNA via a blood or saliva sample. The sample collection will be very light – a 22.2ml blood sample.
UCL BioResource is one of seven centres in the nationwide NIHR BioResource project. It will provide researchers with access to suitable candidates for research studies on an unprecedented scale. The launch of UCL BioResource marks a huge step in the fight against chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
UCL BioResource will provide researchers with access to samples and data from 10,000 of the unique population of volunteers and patients, who have consented to be recalled for further studies according to genotype and phenotype. Together with other information such as the volunteer’s gender and ethnicity, they will potentially be matched to specific research studies in the future. Consequently, the UCL BioResource will enable researchers to find the right kind of volunteers for their research. Recruitment is planned to begin in summer 2013.
This provides a powerful resource for studying disease mechanisms, and characterising the benefits and limitations of emerging therapies.
Potential patients and volunteers will be recruited through posters, leaflets and adverts across UCLH and UCL partner hospitals as well as other clinical sites such as GP surgeries and rehabilitation centres.
Once volunteers have donated their DNA it is analysed to identify suitability for research projects using advanced laboratory techniques. This may include determining the sequence of all or part on an individual DNA code. Consent will be gained from participants following this stage of recruitment, where they will agree to be contacted for research projects that have a need for their genetic make-up.
Dr Kirstin Goldring, UCL Biobank and BioResource Coordinator, says, “This exciting UCL initiative will give UCLH patients and healthy volunteers opportunities to become actively involved in medical research, which will help lead to better understanding or a range of conditions and lead to development of new treatments”.
The national NIHR BioResource project currently has a core base of 20,000 volunteers, with plans to increase to over 100,000 by 2017. Within typical methods of volunteer recruitment, large numbers of volunteers are often drafted in that fit a particular genetic make-up of interest. Employing BioResource, DNA samples are screened, following a request from a researcher, in advance of volunteer selection for the particular gene (or genes) of interest. Volunteers who are found to have the genetic variation of interest are selected for invitation. This means that valuable functional research into the causes of many diseases that previously would have proven too costly or time-consuming, is now possible.
The UCL BioResource will be key to research on genes and disease. For queries about the UCL BioResource, including how to participate, call 0207 679 6457 or e-mail Dr Kirstin Goldring, UCL Biobank and BioResource Coordinator k.goldring@ucl.ac.uk
Visit the NIHR Bioresource web page for more information.
