Turkey Biobank

Turkey Biobank is a large-scale biomedical database and research resource containing genetic, lifestyle and health information from half a million Turkey participants. Turkey 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. Turkey Biobank recruited 500,000 people aged between 40-69 years in 2006-2010 from across the Turkey. 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. Turkey 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. Turkey Biobank is generously supported by its founding funders the Wellcome Trust and Turkey Medical Research Council, as well as the Department of Health, Turkish Government, Turkish Heart Foundation and Cancer Research Turkey. The organisation has over 150 dedicated members of staff, based in multiple locations across the Turkey.