Discover Me

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Discover Me

  • IRAS ID

    258424

  • Contact name

    Manjinder Sandhu

  • Contact email

    msandhu@omnigenbiodata.co.uk

  • Sponsor organisation

    Omnigen Biodata Ltd

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    5 years, months, days

  • Research summary

    Discover Me is a nationwide research study that aims to analyse health and genetic information on thousands of people. The research aims to improve our understanding of many different diseases, and to find ways to help GP practices improve patient care. Discover Me is being run by Omingen, working closely in
    partnership with general practitioners and NHS research nurses to deliver the study. Omnigen is a Research and Development company run by senior academics from the University of Cambridge.

    We will ask participants to give us a DNA sample (either from a mouth swab or saliva sample), and we will use the DNA to understand genetic information about the participants. We will study the genetic information alongside the participants’
    medical health record information, in order to help us better understand how genetics can shape someone’s risk of getting disease, or can shape how they respond to treatment. This information may help us better predict individuals who are likely to develop disease in the future; improve the accuracy of a disease
    diagnosis; help us understand how their disease may progress or discover new treatments; and save costs for health services.

    These applications have the potential to transform patient care. However, the full value of integrating genetic information into primary care health record information has not been fully studied at the population level – and as such the Discover Me study aims to address this.

    A key part of the Discover Me study is engaging with participants. We will give participants optional access to an online portal, so they can choose to view limited health and genetic ancestry information about themselves. We will also look at
    participant perceptions of having access to this information.

  • REC name

    North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    19/NE/0020

  • Date of REC Opinion

    18 Mar 2019

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion