Major expansion of Barts BioResource to help researchers find new treatments
More patients at our hospitals will be offered the chance to contribute to vital research thanks to a major expansion of the Barts BioResource.
The BioResource links a patient’s biological samples, such as blood and tissue, with their health information. This helps researchers understand why diseases develop, how they affect different people and how we can treat patients more effectively.
It was set up by Barts Health and Queen Mary University of London in 2017. Since then, more than 28,000 people have contributed, supporting more than 65 research projects.
Professor Anthony Mathur, principal investigator for the Barts BioResource, said:
"The Barts BioResource has already shown what can happen when patients and researchers work together. Expansion across Barts Health, and following patients over time as part of their routine care, gives us the chance to go much further, to understand how diseases develop in different communities and to turn those discoveries into better treatments, sooner."
Barts Charity is investing £6.77 million to expand the BioResource over the next five years. Teams across the Trust now aim to collect more than 50,000 samples, starting with cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis and maternity. Each sample will be securely linked with health records and imaging data through the Barts Health Data Platform.
For patients, taking part will be built into the care they already receive, with no extra appointments. Consent will be available in multiple languages and accessible formats. Patients and local communities will also help shape how the programme runs and how their data is used. Because the BioResource draws on east London’s diverse population, it will help researchers develop treatments that work for more people.
Dr Jenny Rivers, director of research and development at Barts Health, said:
"This expansion of the Barts BioResource is a hugely welcome development made possible by Barts Charity, and moves us closer to our ambition of making research a part of everyday care."
Find out more about the expansion on the Barts Charity website.
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