IBD BioResource: an open-access platform of 25 000 patients to accelerate research in Crohn's and Colitis.

Abstract

An alliance of clinicians, academics, research nurses, funders, coordinators, programmers and, most importantly, patients has come together in the UK to deliver a powerful new platform to accelerate Crohn’s and colitis research – the Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) BioResource. As part of the NIHR BioResource for translational research, 25,000 patients in over 90 hospitals UK-wide have signed up since we launched in January 2016 (Fig 1). All have detailed phenotypes databased including Montreal classification1, treatment response history (updated annually), surgical history and comorbidities (IBD BioResource panel descriptive, Clinical data collection sheet and Health and Lifestyle questionnaire). Serum, plasma and DNA samples are banked; and genome-wide genetic profiling undertaken. Participants’ data and samples can be studied, and they themselves surveyed or recalled for resampling or downstream studies (see Fig 2). Critically such studies can be lead by any UK or overseas investigator whether from the worlds of clinical research, pharmacovigilance, science or industry.CCUK, Open Targets, NIH