Overview

What is the study about?

D-CYPHR wants to invite children and young people age 0 to 15 years old to take part in health research. Health research means studying how to keep people healthy and learn more about diseases. Researchers also want to learn how genes connect to diseases in children. Genes are like instructions inside our bodies that we get from our parents. The study will ask for some saliva and ask questions to learn about health.  Saliva is the liquid in your mouth, this is what spit is.  A small amount will help scientists learn more about health.

What is the study trying to find out? 

Scientists want to help children stay healthy. They are studying diseases that can make children feel sick, such as asthma.  Asthma is a sickness that makes it harder to breathe. Scientists want to know if these problems, and other health problems come from genes. Genes are tiny instructions inside our bodies. We get them from our parents. Genes help decide things like eye colour, but they can also affect health.

What does taking part involve?

Taking part is very easy.  

• First you will meet with a Researcher who will answer any of your questions about taking part. You can have someone with you, like your mum, dad or someone you trust.
• Then, you will answer easy questions about your health
• Then you will spit in a tube

Who is it for? 

Children and Young People from 0-15 years old

We hope around 12,000 children and young people across England will help.

Why is it important?

We all want to stay healthy, right? Two big things affect our health: our genes and our surroundings. Genes are like tiny instruction books inside our bodies. They tell our bodies how to grow and work. We get our genes from our parents. The surroundings include everything around us, like the air we breathe, the food we eat and where we live.  

Sometimes, our genes or our surroundings can cause health problems. Some people might have genes that make them more likely to get breathing problems. Other times, things in the surroundings, like pollution or stress, can make us sick. Young heroes like you can help scientists learn more about health! By learning more about your health and family, you can help find clues about diseases like heart problems and breathing problems.

How can I find out more? 

You can find out more information about taking part in this study by downloading the key documents at the top of this page.  You can also find out more information on the project website here: https://www.bioresource.nihr.ac.uk/d-cyphr/ 

If you are interested in taking part in this study, or have questions for the research team, please email us at: r&d@nelft.nhs.uk