November 30, 2023

UK Biobank releases world’s largest-by-far set of whole genome sequencing data

Despite huge advances in human genetics and medical research, we still know very little about how the majority of the human genome affects disease development and treatment response, why some people get sick and others don’t, and how many of the most common diseases actually start out in the body.

After five years, more than 350,000 hours of genome sequencing, and over £200 million of investment, UK Biobank is unveiling unparalleled new data from whole genome sequencing of its half a million participants. This is a major landmark for medical research which will help to drive the development of new diagnostics, treatments and cures. Alongside the existing wealth of data UK Biobank has collected from its half a million volunteers over the past 15 years on lifestyle, whole body imaging results, health information and proteins found in the blood, researchers can now access the most detailed picture of human health that exists.

Set up 20 years ago, the charity UK Biobank is the world’s most comprehensive source of health data and is used by researchers across the world for scientific discoveries that improve human health.  

This project, made possible by the altruism of UK Biobank’s participants, was funded by Wellcome, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and four biopharmaceutical companies; Amgen, AstraZeneca, GSK and Johnson & Johnson. Together, this public-private partnership brings you a panel of experts including:

• Professor Sir Rory Collins FMedSci, CEO and Principal Investigator at UK Biobank
• Cheryl Moore, Chief Research Programmes Officer, Wellcome Trust
• Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser DBE FRS, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). 
• Dr Ruth March, Senior Vice-President of AstraZeneca’s Precision Medicine function (representing the four industry partners)
• Professor Sir John Bell CH, GBE, FRS, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University

Join this panel of experts to explore and answer questions including:

• What will researchers be able to do now that they couldn’t before?
• How soon before we will actually see changes in treatments and diagnoses?
• Who can access this data and why is it such a one-of-a-kind?
• How does UK Biobank differ from the other large datasets that already exist or are being setup?
• Why is it so important to use consented participants for work like this?

Speakers included:

Prof Sir Rory Collins, CEO & Principal Investigator at UK Biobank

Cheryl Moore, Chief Research Programmes Officer, Wellcome Trust

Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser, Chief Executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

Dr Ruth March, Senior Vice-President of AstraZeneca’s Precision Medicine function

Prof Sir John Bell, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University