Listen to the Story What Scientists Learned Scanning The Bodies of 100,000 Brits
Jul 18, 2025
Rory Collins, CEO of UK Biobank and a leader in medical research, shares fascinating insights about scanning 100,000 Brits for health studies. He discusses how this massive database reveals the onset of diseases and the role of lifestyle factors. The conversation also explores the importance of diversity in research, highlighting a participant’s journey motivated by family health issues. Additionally, the podcast dives into groundbreaking findings, especially concerning COVID-19's neurological effects, using a unique blend of genetic and imaging data.
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Alison's Motivated Participation
- Alison, a tech worker and mother of two, joined UK Biobank to represent underrepresented groups in research.
- She saw participation as a way to be counted and contribute to broader health studies.
Large-Scale Health Imaging Breakthrough
- UK Biobank is a huge health study scanning bodies of 100,000 participants and tracking health long-term.
- It reveals disease development years before symptoms appear through extensive imaging and data collection.
COVID-19 Brain Impact Discovered
- Repeat brain scans of participants before and after COVID-19 revealed brain changes even in mild cases.
- These findings reshaped knowledge of the virus' neurological impact.