Netherlands

Lifelines data and biobank

Lifelines is a large, multi-generational cohort study that includes over 167,000 participants (10%)
from the northern population of the Netherlands.
Lifelines collects data on the exposome, lifestyle, physical and mental health, but also has a rich biobank including blood, plasma, serum, hair, urine and fecal samples. With these biomaterials the biological characteristics of the participants can be studied, such as their genome, epigenome, microbiome (gut, throat and nose samples) and stress hormone levels (in blood, urine and hair). The broad and long collection and the size of the cohort are some of the various features of Lifelines. Another unique feature is the high number of family relations between participants which provides great research opportunities to disentangle gene, environment and lifestyle influences.

Key facts

Name of the connected EIT Health partner: Medische Biobank Noord Nederland BV together with University Medical Center Groningen and University Groningen
Number of individuals: 167,000
Biobank confirmed willingness to provide samples/data for EIT Health studies: Yes
Contact person(s) and contact data
(e-mail address, tel. no) for access purposes:		 Aafje Dotinga, manager Wetenschap en Onderzoek, a.dotinga@lifelines.nl, 00 31 50 361 58 06; Ilse Broeders, project manager Research Office, i.m.broeders@lifelines.nl, 00 31 6 19206751
Number of samples:
Sample type: Whole blood; Buffy Coat; Plasma; Serum; Urine; Saliva; Faeces; Hair; Semen; DNA; RNA
Website: https://www.lifelines.nl/researcher

General information

Type of biobank: Population Lifelines is a large population-based cohort and biobank which started in 2006 with 167,000 inhabitants (10%) of the northern part of the Netherlands. Our aim is to enable research to better prevent, predict, diagnose and treat diseases. For this purpose participants are being followed for 30 years and surveyed every 5 years.
We collect data through questionnaires and measurements on a wide range of topics such as lifestyle, environment, multi-omics, and medical history.
In addition, Lifelines offers research opportunities through:
• A versatile collection of over 8 million samples
• Record linkage with other registries
• Re-invitation of specified subsets of participants
If longitudinal the frequency: https://www.lifelines.nl/researcher/data-and-biobank
Link to central portal to seek samples and data: https://catalogue.lifelines.nl/
Broad consent: Yes
Option to recall donors: Yes
Option to recall family members: Yes

Biobank access procedure:

Major terms for access: Researchers worldwide can apply for our collected data and biomaterials. Research applications are
handled with a quick response on feasibility and availability of the data by Lifelines.
Additionally, researchers can expect access to the requested data within two weeks after formal agreement.
https://www.lifelines.nl/researcher/how-to-apply. Contact us at researh@lifelines.nl or contact persons directly to discuss opportunities for public-private collaborations.
Ethical and legal compliance: https://english.ccmo.nl/
The Research code of the Netherlands is translated in English https://www.federa.org/sites/default/files/images/print_version_code_of_conduct_english.pdf
Speed and reliability of delivery: Researchers can expect access to the requested data within two weeks after formal agreement.
Pricing: https://www.lifelines.nl/researcher/how-to-apply/costs-biobank-lifelines

Quality management system:

Storage:
Compliance with international standards:
Current ISO certificates:

Data:

Clinical data linked to samples: Lifelines collects questionnaire data, measurements, and biological samples from the entire cohort in rounds or waves called general assessments. Child participants follow a similar, but modified timeline.http://wiki-lifelines.web.rug.nl/doku.php?id=general_assessments; Omics data availability
Data standards: https://www.lifelines.nl/researcher/cohort-and-biobank/news-2/new-data-platform-and-catalogue
Data security rules:

Biobank related service:

Research support, what type of expertise?: Lifelines offers extra research opportunities through:
• Record linkage with other registries
• Re-invitation of specified subsets of participants
Core facility services; what type? Link?:
Queries from national health registers:
Links to the model contract and MTA: Once an application is approved, Lifelines will prepare an offer and Data and Material Transfer Agreement (DMTA) for you to sign. Please check out example DMTA at step 3 how-to-apply proces at https://www.lifelines.nl/researcher/how-to-apply

IP:

IP rules, what is negotiable?: Contact us at researh@lifelines.nl or contact persons directly to discuss opportunities for public-private collaborations.
Requirements to study results (access etc.): https://english.ccmo.nl/
Participant’s right to the information: https://www.lifelines.nl/deelnemers/alles-over-de-uitslagenbrief

https://www.umcg.nl/NL/UMCG/Afdelingen/Genetica/nieuws/Paginas/samenwerking-patient-en-onderzoeker-medicatie-op-maat.aspx
Number of access contracts with industry: 0

COVID-19 samples:

Access to biological samples from patients with COVID-19?

  • Serum
  • Full blood (for RNA extraction)
  • EDTA-Full blood (for DNA extraction)
  • EDTA-Plasma
  • Citrate-Plasma
  • PBMC (Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells)
  • Nasopharyngeal aspirate
  • Tracheal aspirate
Contact person(s) and contact data (e-mail address, tel. no) for access purposes