What is an NIHR BioResource volunteer?

A volunteer is anyone with or without a health condition who is willing to be approached to take part in a research study.

Why do we need volunteers?

The support and goodwill of our volunteers are vital to the ongoing success of the NIHR BioResource. It is the participation of volunteers in studies that makes our organisation unique, supporting a diverse range of health research.

The NIHR BioResource supports work on:

  • How genes affect a variety of diseases and illnesses
  • Understanding the specific genes involved in the development of a disease
  • Identifying better treatments
  • Disease prevention

20 million people in the UK live with chronic diseases which can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life and on their family. By participating you are helping the future development of healthcare provision and the long-term prevention and treatment of disease. For further information on taking part in clinical trials watch the short animation below.

What happens if I join?

If you decide to join you will donate a blood or saliva sample, from which your DNA can be extracted. You will be asked to complete a healthcare questionnaire, a consent form so you can be matched to a specific research study, and finally you will grant access to your medical and healthcare records.

Your sample is turned into a unique ID so the research team will not know who you are. If you match their criteria you will then be invited to take part in the study.

You decide whether to participate and will only be invited to a maximum of four studies a year.

The sample you donated when you joined is helping researchers, even if you haven’t yet received an invitation to a study.

Sign up today

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