In a landmark moment set to transform the future of medical research, the UK Biobank has initiated the most comprehensive study of proteins circulating in the human body known as known as population proteomics, showing a new era in understanding and treating diseases.
The Scope of Population Proteomics Study
The study’s scope is remarkable. Researchers will measure up to 5,400 proteins in each of 600,000 samples, drawing from the extensive pool of half a million UK Biobank participants and 100,000 follow-up samples collected up to 15 years later. The journey begins with the analysis of the first 300,000 samples, which includes initial data from 250,000 participants and second samples from 50,000 individuals during follow-up assessments.
Pioneering Population Proteomics
Population proteomics, the study of protein abundance and variation in large groups, is gaining momentum due to its potential to revolutionize disease diagnosis and therapeutics. This emerging field will benefit immensely from the UK Biobank study, which builds on the success of an earlier pilot project. Data on almost 3,000 circulating proteins from 54,000 participants was released in October 2023. This revolutionizing data made this study the largest of its kind at the time.
The pilot data have already paved the way for advances in predicting diseases and developing targeted treatments for conditions such as breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Parkinson’s disease. The new study aims to increase the dataset 10-fold, amplifying its potential impact on public health.
The integration of proteomic data with UK Biobank’s extensive genetic and imaging datasets will provide researchers with a comprehensive view of the biological processes underlying disease progression. The whole genome sequencing of UK Biobank’s half a million participants, completed in November 2023, will now be complemented by this vast proteomic dataset.
Key Research Advantages:
Researchers will be able to:
- Examine Proteomic and Genetic Data Simultaneously: The combined datasets will offer remarkable resources for understanding how genetic and proteomic factors interact to influence disease.
- Track Changes in Protein Levels Over Time: By analyzing samples taken at two different points over up to 15 years, scientists can observe age-related changes in healthy individuals and explore how these shifts contribute to disease development.
- Integrate Proteomic Data with Imaging Data: With nearly 100,000 participants having undergone MRI scans of their brain, heart, and body, this layered data approach will offer unprecedented insights into human health.
- Develop AI Models for Disease Prediction: The depth of the proteomic data will fuel machine learning algorithms that can predict disease many years before clinical diagnosis, potentially guiding early interventions and treatment plans.
The Significance of Integration
Professor Naomi Allen, Chief Scientist of UK Biobank, highlighted the significance of this integration: “Proteomics provides an incredibly detailed picture of health. This new frontier of science can reveal how genetics and external factors – like diet, exercise, and climate – interact, and will help to identify the key causes of diseases and drug targets.”
A Collaboration of Titans
This study is funded by the UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project, a consortium of 14 leading biopharmaceutical companies. Dr. Chris Whelan, Project Lead from Johnson & Johnson, expressed his anticipation, “Analysing samples from two-time points in the same volunteer will allow us to examine how protein levels change across hundreds of health and disease states over time, at a remarkably large scale. This will represent one of the world’s largest ever biopharmaceutical research collaborations.”
Global Research Benefits
The first phase of the study will measure protein levels in 300,000 samples over about a year. Data will be shared in stages with UK Biobank-approved researchers starting in 2026. The full dataset should be ready by 2027. Plans include seeking extra funding to analyze samples from all remaining participants.
Consortium members will have exclusive access to the data for nine months. Later, it will be shared with the UK Biobank. This will enhance the dataset, making it a valuable resource for global research.
The UK Biobank proteomics study, leveraging advanced technology from Regeneron Genetics Center®, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Ultima Genomics, stands as a beacon of collaborative scientific advancement. As researchers prepare to delve into this treasure trove of protein data, the world eagerly awaits for the breakthroughs in understanding and treating diseases that this study will undoubtedly bring.