Name: National institute for Health and Care Research’s (NIHR) BioResource

Leading Institution or organisation: NIHR

HDR Innovation Gateway Metadata Rating: Platinum

The NIHR’s BioResource is a national resource that supports public participation in research, and was set up as a collaborative effort between clinicians and researchers.

It is a bank of genetic information used to help investigate links between genes, the environment, health and disease. Thousands of volunteers, who live with and without disease, donate biological samples (often blood) that are securely stored and anonymised. These samples are then linked with data gathered from volunteer’s responses to questionnaires about their and their family’s medical history. When necessary, participants also allow research limited access to portions of their medical records.

The BioResource allows research to be completed quickly and effectively, allowing for the identification of new treatments of disease.