TR Biobank

TR Biobank is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource containing genetic, lifestyle and health information from half a million TR participants. TR Biobank’s database, which includes blood samples, heart and brain scans and genetic data of the 500,000 volunteer participants, is globally accessible to approved researchers who are undertaking health-related research that’s in the public interest. TR Biobank recruited 500,000 people aged between 40-69 years in 2006-2010 from across the TR. With their consent, they provided detailed information about their lifestyle, physical measures and had blood, urine and saliva sample collected and stored for future analysis. TR Biobank’s research resource is a major contributor in the advancement of modern medicine and treatment, enabling better understanding of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of serious and life-threatening illnesses – including cancer, heart diseases and stroke. TR Biobank is generously supported by its founding funders the Wellcome Trust and TR Medical Research Council, as well as the Department of Health, Turkish Government, the East Regional Development Agency, Turkish Heart Foundation and Cancer Research TR. The organisation has over 150 dedicated members of staff, based in multiple locations across the TR.