Life Knowledge Park

The North Cumbra Community Genetics Project (NCCGP)

The North Cumbria Community Genetics Project (NCCGP) is a collaborative project between Newcastle University (Institutes of Human Genetics and Child Health) and Westlakes Research Institute. It is a biological sample bank containing samples from 7,000 newborn babies and 3,000 of their mothers collected at the West Cumberland Hospital, Whitehaven, Cumbria between 1996 and 2003. Stored samples include DNA, plasma and umbilical cord together with demographic and birth details, making this a very valuable resource for genetic epidemiologic investigation.

The NCCGP has contributed to over 20 collaborative research studies with academic groups from across the UK including studies into birth weight, fetal viability and cancer predisposition. Several new projects are currently underway.

Infrastructure support for the NCCGP is provided by LKP. In addition, LKP is funding an Outreach Support Teacher to work with the LIFE Education team to deliver curriculum enhancing science activities to school children in West Cumbria. This initiative will target children who contributed samples to the NCCGP at birth, and data on body composition, physical activity and dietary habits will be collected to facilitate research in to genetic and environmental causes of childhood overweight and obesity.

Further information and enquiries about potential applications of the resource can be directed to Dr Caroline Relton email - c.l.relton@ncl.ac.uk

Key Project Publications:

Chase, D.S., Tawn, E.J., Parker, L., Jonas, P., Parker, C.O., Burn, J. The North Cumbria Community Genetics Project. J Med Genet 1998, 35, 413-416.