Lifelines is one of Europe's largest multi-generational population biobanks. Since 2006, more than 167,000 participants from the northern Netherlands have contributed health data and biological samples to support scientific research.
By following participants throughout their lives and across three generations, Lifelines enables researchers to investigate how biological, environmental, behavioural and social factors contribute to health and disease.
The combination of longitudinal data, extensive biosamples and repeated measurements provides unique opportunities to study disease development, healthy ageing and prevention. Lifelines supports researchers from the Netherlands and around the world by providing secure access to high-quality data and samples for scientific research.
Researchers choose Lifelines because it combines:
These strengths allow researchers to investigate complex interactions between genetics, lifestyle, environment and health across the life course.
Lifelines collects, manages and shares high-quality longitudinal data and biological samples for scientific research.
Available resources include:
Participants complete questionnaires approximately every 1.5 years and visit a Lifelines research site every five years for extensive measurements and sample collection. This prospective design enables researchers to study health trajectories, disease development and ageing over time.
Researchers from academia, healthcare organisations and industry can apply to use Lifelines data, biosamples or conduct additional studies within the cohort. The Lifelines Research Office supports researchers throughout the application process, from study design to data access and project completion.
Lifelines data are used across a broad range of research areas, including:
Because of its size, repeated measurements and multidisciplinary design, Lifelines supports observational research, validation studies, biomarker discovery, epidemiology and many other forms of population-based research.
Lifelines is an open protocol cohort. Researchers can submit proposals for additional data collection, measurements or biosample collection within the existing infrastructure. This approach enables new scientific questions to be addressed efficiently while minimising participant burden and making optimal use of the existing cohort.
Research using Lifelines data contributes to scientific knowledge on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Today, more than 750 scientific publications have been produced using Lifelines data, covering a wide range of disciplines and international collaborations. Lifelines continues to support new research projects by providing access to high-quality longitudinal data and biosamples.
For information about data access, biosamples, additional studies or research collaborations, please contact the Lifelines Research Office at [email protected].
