A genome-wide scan (Illumina human core exome array) has been conducted on DNA samples from approximately 10,000 people. Methylation profiling has been conducted on DNA samples from approximately 3650, consisting of 1425 individuals from the British Household Panel Survey component of Understanding Society and another 2230 from the General Population Sample. Using the Illumina Methylation EPIC BeadChip we have integrated over 850,000 Methylation sites across the genome.
Genetics and epigenetics data are available to researchers by application only.
Genetic and epigenetics data are available to researchers by application only. Researchers who ONLY wish to access the genome-wide scan data and/or epigenetic data should apply directly from the European Genome-phenome Archive and new applications will be considered by the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute’s Data Access Committee.
End User Licence survey data (for mainstage, nurse visit and Innovation Panel) are available to download directly from the UK Data Service.
Researchers who wish to combine genetic and epigenetic information with survey data from Understanding Society’s mainstage and nurse data need to apply for access. See the application process
Note: The Innovation Panel (IP) does not have a genetic component.
Email genetics@understandingsociety.ac.uk with any enquiries.
You should read through the Understanding Society Data Access Strategy and the Research Data Handling and Securtiy Guide before applying for access to genetic data.
Email genetics@understandingsociety.ac.uk with any enquiries.
Please read the advice on our accessing the data page.
The variable request form is part of the application process and lets the data team know which variables are needed from each data file and from which wave(s) of data.
Researchers who would like to use genetic or epigenetic data linked to End User Licence Understanding Society survey data need to apply and have their application considered by the health data team at Understanding Society. Applicants are asked to specify the nature of the proposed research and all the data used in the project. If your application is successful the data team at Understanding Society will prepare your dataset and send it to you.
Due to the security classification of the data, researchers wishing to access the data from within the United Kingdom, European Union, Norway, Liechtenstein or Iceland can apply. Researchers accessing data from outside these countries can also apply if their country of access is deemed to have an adequate level of data protection as determined by the European Commission.
Submit the completed application form and variable request form using the Understanding Society OMICS application portal. See the application process.
End User Licence survey data (for mainstage, nurse visit and Innovation Panel) are available to download directly from the UK Data Service.
Researchers who wish to combine genetic and epigenetic information with survey data from Understanding Society need to apply to Understanding Society for these data. Applications are considered by the health data team at Understanding Society. Applicants are asked to specify the nature of the proposed research and all the data to be used in the project.
Note: The Innovation Panel (IP) does not have a genetic component.
You can request this from the European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA).
If you only want genetic data, you can apply through the European Genome-phenome Archive (EGA).
Yes, you can. Researchers who wish to combine genetic and epigenetic information with survey data from Understanding Society can apply for access. See the application process.
The EGA holds both genetic and epigenetic files, although they are currently unlinked. Understanding Society plan to redeposit these data so that the two files may be linked.
Yes, if your application requires specific SNPs then these must be listed in an excel file and submitted at the same time. The list should include their rs number, chromosome, base position, Hapmap build, and any potential proxy SNPs. Once submitted we will inform you of any SNPs we do not hold and will provide proxy SNPs if you have identified them. To identify proxy SNPs please use the LDproxy Tool on the NIH Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics website. LDproxy is part of the LDlink suite of tools.
Your dataset is encrypted and where possible sent to you via the secure data transfer service Zendto.
The data files are encrypted using 7-zip and we recommend using 7-zip to unencrypt them.
Yes, you can but only if they are listed on the approved application. Any third party seeking to use data, samples, or derived variables or genotypes arising from the application must approach the Understanding Society Access Committee to obtain access permission of their own.
Applications for genetic or epigenetic data are considered periodically. We aim to give researchers a response to their application within 30 days. If your proposed project is complex we may contact you for further information. Once the application is approved we aim to process your application and deliver the data within 30 days.
Data supplied to you must be securely destroyed within 2 years of submitting a final report to Understanding Society, or sooner if you leave the project (unless appointing a new data steward, or a data retention plan is agreed).
Permission to transfer the data needs to be obtained from the Understanding Society team by the applicant before moving institutions.
General enquiries and/or applicants should contact the genetics team using the email genetics@understandingsociety.ac.uk
Biomarkers were collected in Wave 2 and 3 of the main survey. Blood samples were also taken at these visits and biomarker data is available including:
Genetics and epigenetics data – A genome-wide scan (Illumina human core exome array) has been conducted on DNA samples from approximately 10,000 people. Methylation profiling has been conducted on DNA samples from approximately 3650, consisting of 1425 individuals from the British Household Panel Survey component of Understanding Society and another 2230 from the General Population Sample. Using the Illumina Methylation EPIC BeadChip we have integrated over 850,000 Methylation sites across the genome.
Genetics and epigenetics data are available to researchers by application only.
You can find variables using the variable search.
XWAVE, Wave 2 and Wave 3 contain datafiles ending in _ns. Variables within Wave 2 have a prefix of b_ and wave 3 a prefix of c_. In the main part of the survey from Wave 1 onwards, participants are asked a number of questions about their general health. From Wave 2, some participants receive a follow-up visit from a registered nurse who asks some additional questions and takes a range of physical measurements together with a blood sample. For more background information read the health and biomarkers User Guide.
Some variables may be sensitive and are potentially disclosive. Careful attention is paid to ensuring only necessary data are issued, and all variables must be carefully justified in the context of your analysis. We might sometimes substitute more useful variables than the ones selected. In these cases, we should inform you of what we have done.
Any publications resulting from the use of these data must include an acknowledgment to Understanding Society as specified here. A copy of the publications must be provided to Understanding Society after publication via our submission research form.