Genetics research opportunity for children and young people

Children and young people can help advance healthcare and further our understanding of different conditions by taking part in D-CYPHR: the DNA, Children + Young People’s Health Resource from the NIHR BioResource in partnership with the NHS. 

Any child in the UK aged 0 –15, with or without a health condition, can join D-CYPHR with parental consent. You can get involved by filling out a health and lifestyle questionnaire online and spitting into a tube. D-CYPHR are looking for participation from all children and young people regardless of whether they have medical conditions or not – effective health research depends on the inclusion of all. 

Our DNA holds all our genetic information. Analysing the DNA of lots of different people with lots of different conditions in this programme will help researchers to understand different health challenges. Many conditions and acquired diseases start before birth or during childhood, but most medical research is carried out in adults. D-CYPHR aims to address this by “supporting health research for ages 0 – 15, pioneering new treatments and creating better care for children and the adults they will become.”

The programme will explore key contributors to health: genetics and environment/lifestyle. The combination can explain why we develop certain conditions and what might help. The children and young people involved in D-CYPHR could help our understanding of a huge number of conditions including: diabetes, heart disease, mental health conditions, rare diseases, and immune disorders.

D-CYPHR is not a spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus research study, but we hope that by collaborating and raising awareness together we can champion the need for more research. At Shine, we think it’s important that people with health conditions consider taking part. We would encourage all our young members and their families to find out more and get involved.

For more information, including a video and age-appropriate information to explain the programme to children and young people, visit the NHIR BioResource D-CYPHR website.