Sydney Researchers join International Scientific Board

Professor Michael Kidd has accepted an invitation to join a 10 member International Scientific Advisory Board for UK Biobank. Joining him on the team is Professor Stephen MacMahon who will take on the role of chair. The International Scientific Board is an advisory committee established jointly by the Wellcome Trust and the UK Medical Research Council.

UK Biobank aims to recruit 500,000 people aged 40-69 from around the UK during 2006 - 2010. At an initial baseline survey, blood and urine samples will be collected for long - term storage, along with a detailed questionnaire about lifestyle and health and various measurements (e.g. blood pressure, body size and impedance, spirometry, grip strength). All participants are to be followed through their medical and other health-related records, with regular re-surveys in a substantial sample of participants. The UK Biobank resource is to be made available for all researchers to conduct investigations that have appropriate scientific and ethics approval.