About the research
Full project title: Harmonising strategies for analysing biological samples
Biological samples such as blood, urine and saliva are routinely collected by many cohort studies and used to explore questions around health and biological changes over time. Different methods have been used for processing, storing and analysing these samples.
This project explored how the collection, processing and storage conditions of biological samples could be made more consistent across longitudinal studies. It also summarised the existing biological samples collected by CLOSER studies.
In addition, the team undertook a small pilot study which tested new laboratory methods for processing blood samples. The project produced new documentation to help researchers to improve methods and standards for the collection, processing and storage of biological samples used in longitudinal studies.
Dr Susan Ring
Research lead
Dr Susan Ring (ALSPAC, University of Bristol)
Studies used
- Hertfordshire Cohort Study
- 1946 MRC National Survey of Health and Development
- 1958 National Child Development Study
- Understanding Society: The UK Household Longitudinal Study
- Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
- Southampton Women’s Study
- Millennium Cohort Study
Research outputs
CLOSER resource reports
- Harmonisation of strategies for exploitation of biological sample collections
- Histone Methodology Development Report
- Effects of sample processing on the metabolome and proteome
- Development of functional assays in lymphoblastoid cell lines
Read about other CLOSER data harmonisation projects.