UK Biobank

UK Biobank is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource, containing in-depth genetic and health information from half a million UK participants. The database is regularly augmented with additional data and is globally accessible to approved researchers undertaking vital research into the most common and life-threatening diseases.

Overview

UK Biobank recruited 500,000 people aged between 40-69 years in 2006-2010 from across the UK. With their consent, they provided detailed information about their lifestyle, physical measures, and had blood, urine and saliva samples collected and stored for future analysis. UK Biobank’s database is a major contributor to the advancement of modern medicine and treatment and has enabled several scientific discoveries that improve human health.

Data Resources

UK Biobank contains an unprecedented wealth of biological data, including:

• Genotyping data for all 500,000 participants
• Whole exome sequencing data for 200,000 participants
• Whole genome sequencing data for 200,000 participants
• Health-related outcomes via linkage to electronic health records
• Imaging data (brain, heart, body) for 100,000 participants
• Extensive phenotype data including physical measurements, biomarkers, and questionnaire data

Access Model

UK Biobank is not an open access resource - researchers must apply for access and their institutions must sign a Material Transfer Agreement. However, it is designed to be widely accessible to bona fide researchers for health-related research that is in the public interest. The application process includes:

1. Registration with UK Biobank
2. Submission of a research application
3. Payment of access fees (which vary depending on the institution type)
4. Approval by UK Biobank’s Access Committee

Impact on Knowledge Graphs

While UK Biobank data itself is not openly available as downloadable products, it has been utilized in the creation of numerous derived knowledge graphs and resources. It serves as a critical source for:

• Genotype-phenotype association studies
• Risk prediction models
• Biomarker discovery
• Drug target validation
• Clinical decision support systems

Related Resources

UK Biobank data has been used by numerous projects that have then made their derivative analyses publicly available, including:

• PheWAS (Phenome-Wide Association Studies) catalogs
• GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Studies) summaries
• Polygenic risk scores
• Various disease prediction models

More Information

For more detailed information about UK Biobank, visit:

• UK Biobank Website
• Data Showcase
• Access Application Process