It may be possible to improve our ability to predict disease risk or the likely effectiveness of treatment by measuring the components of a patient's blood. These components are called biomarkers and the Ulster Genome Project exists to help us find useful biomarkers.  Measurements of biomarkers have been collected from healthy individuals and from patients with a range of disease risks and disease severities.  By comparing the biomarkers between the groups we might be able to identify biomarkers that are better at predicting a patient's disease risk or their likely response to a treatment than is currently possible.    

Contributions to the Ulster Genome Project are primarily made through the Western Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland. Research using the Ulster Genome Project is overseen by the Office for Research Ethics Committees Northern Ireland.

All information is kept strictly confidential and is held in compliance with EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).  It is intended that the findings of research undertaken using the Ulster Genome Project will published in scientific or medical journals and presented at scientific and medical conferences.  Patients will not be identified in any report or publication.

Funding for the Ulster Genome Project was provided by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Union Regional Development Fund (ERDF) EU Sustainable Competitiveness Programme for Northern Ireland, alongside partners within the Northern Ireland Public Health Agency (HSC R&D), ILEX and Ulster University.