UK Biobank

12/10/2026

Fantastic to have UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham recognise UK Biobank as a global resource for health research at last week's Innovation Nation Summit.

Our upcoming move to Bruntwood SciTech's Manchester Science Park marks an exciting new chapter. We are looking forward to continuing to support researchers around the world to make discoveries that improve disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment for future generations.

Read more about how UK Biobank data is powering health research: https://ow.ly/UmxZ50ZWKhk

08/10/2026

DNA from nearly 1.2 million people has revealed thousands of genetic markers for personality traits such as openness, neuroticism and extroversion 🧬

Genetic variation explains up to 16% of personality differences between people. While that isn’t a lot, it can still shape our behaviour: for example, UK Biobank participants tended to be genetically more agreeable and conscientious. “You’re more likely to give up your time to help others even if there’s no direct health benefit to you”, says study co-leader Michel Nivard from the University of Bristol.

Read the full story: https://ow.ly/o3j250ZVsWK

30/09/2026

The last of 600,000 blood samples for the world’s most comprehensive protein study have been shipped 🧪

The project, launched in January 2025, is analysing proteins in blood donated by our participants. The results will allow researchers unprecedented insight into how changes in protein levels link to conditions such as dementia, multiple sclerosis and heart disease.

Supplied in 26 batches to Regeneron, US, our lab team has carefully prepared each sample shipment for their journey in dry-ice packed containers. This final shipment is the last to leave our current lab before we move to our new home at Manchester Science Park.

Learn more about the project: https://ow.ly/kRsV50ZSCQF

21/09/2026

On World Alzheimer's Day, we're recognising the importance of research into understanding and improving brain health and the vital role it can play for future generations.



According to Alzheimer's Society, one in three people born in the UK today will go on to develop dementia in their lifetime. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the UK.

At UK Biobank, we’re heartened to see how much our dataset powers research into improving brain health.

Today we’re highlighting just some of the research into Alzheimer’s that has harnessed our data. 🔽

https://ow.ly/36pQ50ZNX7f

16/09/2026

👁️🔬 We're proud that almost 40,000 of our particpants' contributed to an exciting piece of research that has found that the eyes may offer an early warning sign of atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder.

Clinical researchers at Moorfields Eye Hospital & UCL analysed retinal scans from more than 90,000 people, including UK Biobank participants, and found that people with atrial fibrillation tended to have thinner retinal layers.

Remarkably, these retinal biomarkers could be detected up to four years before the condition is clinically diagnosed, highlighting the potential of eye scans to support earlier, non-invasive detection and intervention of heart conditions.

Read more 🔽

Moorfields patient John Brewer said “It would have been so much easier if my atrial fibrillation (AF) had been detected earlier through a routine retinal scan, rather than on the operating table, which was a very distressing experience.”

Read about our Moorfields study that identifies signs of atrial fibrillation from eye scans four years before diagnosis: https://shorturl.at/Qhm9e

27/08/2026

📝 Menopause HRT cuts women’s dementia risk – but only if it’s started early enough

Women who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease, a study of more than 180,000 UK Biobank participants has revealed. The effect mostly applied to people who had gone through early menopause after having their womb or ovaries removed.

But timing seemed to be critical: HRT only benefits long-term brain health when started between the ages of 46 and 56.

Professor Anne Marie Minihane from the University of East Anglia (UEA) 💬

Read the full story: https://ow.ly/TEoP50ZG0qq

05/08/2026

'Healthy metabolism' gene could treat liver disease, diabetes and obesity 🧬

Researchers have discovered extremely rare genetic mutations that give people better blood sugar control, lower liver fat and healthier fat distribution. New treatments that mimic the mutations’ effect could treat obesity, diabetes or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

George Hindy from Regeneron on the potential of these treatments 🔽💬

Learn more: https://ow.ly/8ZNn50ZwFeK

22/07/2026

🧠 On World Brain day, we're recognising the importance of brain health and the vital role research plays in improving people's lives.

Led by the World Federation of Neurology, the day aims to raise awareness of brain health and the need for better prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neurological conditions.

🌎 Globally, more than 3.4 billion people live with neurological conditions, yet millions lack access to necessary care.

We're proud that our dataset powers research into brain health around the world, as studies uncover new insights that could lead to earlier detection, better treatments and improved outcomes for future generations.

📰 Discover our brain health research stories: https://ow.ly/UWnK50ZoQgy

15/07/2026

It’s been one year since we celebrated the completion of the world’s largest whole body imaging project!

Over 11 years, we captured brain, body and bone scans of 100,000 UK Biobank volunteers. These show us what’s happening in people’s bodies as they age so we can understand how, why and when we get sick.

Learn more about our record-breaking project, including the research it has enabled: https://ow.ly/TEWC50ZlC62

24/06/2026

Taking codeine, morphine and other opioid painkillers seems to increase the likelihood of developing lung, pancreatic and bladder cancer, UK Biobank data shows.

These cancers were once thought to be linked only to o***m, a plant-based drug similar to (but not the same as) opioid medicines.

The new research suggests that prescription opioids should only be used when they’re really needed.

Find out more: https://ow.ly/K9BJ50ZcEOW