Close Ad

The New Democracy of Research – 3 Ways U.K. Biobank Is Revolutionizing Genetic Research and Our Future Health
Biobank-Revolutionizing-Genetic-Research
Physical Health

The New Democracy of Research – 3 Ways U.K. Biobank Is Revolutionizing Genetic Research and Our Future Health

While pop-culture hits like Orphan Black, Gattaca and Black Mirror draw us in with their portrayal of genetic studies paired with murky ethics, the real world of genetic research is a different playing field altogether. One generally marred by lack of funding, high costs, limited genetic material and prohibitive time costs.

The ambitious U.K. Biobank project however has its eyes set on changing all of that – and much more. Scroll down to see 3 major ways U.K. Biobank is changing the present of research and the future of health:


[youtube expand=1 site_id=26461365]

Sheer size and scale

Set up as a national and international health and research resource, U.K. Biobank, in the simplest terms, is a massive database of genetic information stored for scientific research on health and the origins of disease.

However, such a simplistic description doesn’t do justice to the project, which launched in 2006 with a call to the public to donate genetic material. The British public answered enthusiastically, with 1 in 125 people participating in the project that collected samples and measurements from 500,000 people between the ages of 49 and 60.

The unparalleled amount of data – 14 terabytes to be precise – was released in July, and studies based on U.K. Biobank data have continued to stream in at a steady pace ever since.

Equal access and affordable cost

Not only does U.K. Biobank offer up an incredible amount of data, it provides it all to any interested scientists involved in legitimate health research. Registered scientists can access a specific amount or all the data, depending on their needs, paying only for what they require.

Costs are also low, with full access clocking in at a few thousand dollars, meaning a global pharma company and a junior university researcher can access the exact same wealth of data for the exact same cost. Furthermore, any new information is released to all parties at the same time – to the minute.

Continued data collection

While U.K. Biobank’s full data release in July earlier this year represented the culmination of 11 years of work, it was by no means, the last chapter in this almost futuristic story.

While genetic material and measurements have been taken from 500,000 individuals, U.K. Biobank is currently embarked on an ambitious mission to image (scan) 100,000 participants, with other initiatives studying the blood chemistry of samples, or correlating with medical records.

Future projects include an online survey system that will look at factors such as lifestyle, diet, and work history among participants, while Regeneron and pharmaceutical giant GSK are set to complete Biobank’s initial genotyping by fully sequencing all participants’ DNA. In return, the two partners will receive exclusive access to their results for 9 months, after which all data will have to be made available to Biobank’s entire research community.

Hot Stories

Pamela Anderson Opens Up About Her 9 Disastrous Weddings
Why Pamela Anderson Can't Stop Getting Married

Pamela Anderson has it all: beauty, fame and success. So why can’t the most famous blonde find her fairytale ending? Why is Pamela so unlucky in love and what dark secrets lie behind her seemingly glamorous life?

Keep ReadingShow less
Life Stories
Dr Dre points up at text that says 25 rapper quotes to motivate you
Goalcast

The genres of rap and hip hop have been demonized by their association with gang violence and have often been represented by questionable characters. But we can’t overlook the fact that there are a lot of rappers out there who inspire and motivate us every day with their powerful lyrics and hypnotizing beats.

Just like any other form of art, rap is a representation of the artist’s personal experiences and emotions. A representation of what living in a rough environment really means and an expression of the grit that a tough life demands. They speak from life experience.

Keep ReadingShow less
Musicians
Elderly woman selling baking goods outside and an elderly woman with glasses.

Stranger's Video Helps Grandma Selling Baked Goods Go Viral

FOX13 News

Every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday without fail, Inez Hudson can be found stationed outside Super Choice Foods supermarket in Lakeland, Florida.

The 73-year-old woman sells homemade pies and cakes to support herself as her fixed income isn't enough to cover her living expenses.

She has her good days and bad days. That is, until now. Because thanks to the kindness of a stranger and the power of social media she just became a viral sensation. And now? Her baked goods are selling like hotcakes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uplifting News