Publications Round-Up: Summer 2026

Advancing understanding of pancreatic cancer

Researchers at Louisiana State University used a new mathematical modelling technique to better understand pancreatic cancer, identifying 3 new biological molecules associated with a form of the cancer with a very low survival rate. Further study into these molecules could help to better understand how this cancer develops and provide further targets to study for the development of treatments.

New genetic insights into anxiety

Colleagues at King’s College London and the NIHR Maudsley BRC identified new genetic changes associated with symptoms of anxiety. The authors believe that including data from people with a range of anxiety symptoms, rather than by clinical diagnosis of anxiety, has allowed them to discover 39 genetic changes that had not previously been linked to the condition. The study used data from participants in the Genetic Links to Anxiety and Depression (GLAD) cohort, alongside participants from many other health resources.

Existing drug shown to enhance vaccine responses

69 BioResource participants contributed to a study identifying existing drugs that can be used for vaccine development. The Cambridge based research team showed that the existing drug sodium valproate was able to boost the immune system following a seasonal influenza vaccination. This indicates that sodium valproate could be repurposed to help vaccines to be more effective.

Understanding COVID-19 and coronavirus immunity

Serum samples from BioResource participants were used in a study to understand how the Covid-19 virus changes in people who have a long-term infection. The team identified several changes in the Covid-19 virus that help it to avoid the person’s immune system.

Another study, led by researchers at the University of Cambridge, used serum samples from our Covid-19 cohort to understand how well the Covid-19 vaccination protects against similar viruses. They discovered that the vaccines may help to provide extra protection against some other types of coronaviruses found in animals.

Genetic study sheds new light on different forms of anxiety

A study by researchers from King’s College London and co-authored by staff at the BioResource examined the entire genetic information of nearly 100,000 people to understand whether there is a genetic difference for people who experience fear-based anxiety and those with generalised anxiety disorder. They uncovered some changes to genes that were associated just with fear-based disorders and not general anxiety, although there was also a lot of genetic overlap between the conditions. The study used participant data from the GLAD and EDGI cohorts.

Genetic links uncovered for binge-eating disorder and anorexia nervosa

Data from BioResource participants contributed to a large study understanding the genetics of anorexia nervosa and binge-eating behaviour. The study, which involved researchers from King’s College London, studied genetic information from over 1 million people to find out whether there were differences in genetics between those who experience anorexia or binge-eating behaviour and people who don’t. The team discovered several genetic regions that were associated with binge-eating behaviour. They also confirmed genetic links to anorexia nervosa that had been discovered in further studies and found a further two genetic regions that were linked to the condition.

Protocol published for the SMILE BioResource

The full protocol for the Severe Mental Illness Longitudinal Cohort (SMILE) BioResource was published. Led by a team at Oxford University and co-authored by staff at the BioResource, the protocol details how the SMILE BioResource will initially recruit 2,000 people with a diagnosis of psychosis, how samples will be collected and how ethics and data governance will be managed.

Evaluating digital support for inflammatory bowel disease

The IBD-BOOST study published its findings. IBD-BOOST, run by researchers at King’s College London, was testing whether an online management system could help people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) manage symptoms such as fatigue, pain and incontinence. There was no significant difference in quality of life or levels of pain or fatigue in people from IBD-BOOST when compared to people receiving usual care, but the study was shown to be a more cost-effective way of managing these symptoms.

New genetic links for Inflammatory Bowel Disease uncovered

Two recent papers have uncovered new genetic links and potential biological mechanisms to explain why some people experience more severe forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). These studies both used samples and data from our IBD BioResource. One research team, led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, discovered the genetic region HLA-DRB*01:03 is associated with more severe forms of the disease. The second, led by scientists at University of Oxford, investigated the role of the antibody anti-IL-10, which is associated with the HLA-DRB*1:03 region, in IBD. Click the links to find a more in-depth explanation of these studies.

New clues to immune disorders and Crohn's disease

Samples from BioResource participants were used in a study led by the MRC Laboratory investigating biological mechanisms that could explain why the immune system doesn’t act correctly in Crohn’s disease and other immune disorders. The team identified regions of DNA and potential biological mechanisms that could be contributing to these mechanisms.

Investigating resilience to frontotemporal dementia

BioResource participants contributed to a study from the University of Cambridge that was looking to understand why some people with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) can experience a high level of structural changes to their brain before they start to show symptoms. The findings provide new insights into the biological mechanisms that may underlie why some people are more resilient to FTD.

Thank you to our participants, research partners and BioResource staff

These studies demonstrate the extraordinary impact that our participants have across a wide range of health conditions and research areas.

Along with our participants, we would like to thank and congratulate the research teams for their published research and BioResource colleagues for their role in managing the BioResource’s involvement in each study.

Find the full list of publications on our website and all studies we are supporting.