title: Cohort Profile: LifeLines, a three-generation cohort study and biobank.
abstract: The LifeLines Cohort Study is a large population-based cohort study and biobank that was established as a resource for research on complex interactions between environmental, phenotypic and genomic factors in the development of chronic diseases and healthy ageing. Between 2006 and 2013, inhabitants of the northern part of The Netherlands and their families were invited to participate, thereby contributing to a three-generation design. Participants visited one of the LifeLines research sites for a physical examination, including lung function, ECG and cognition tests, and completed extensive questionnaires. Baseline data were collected for 167 729 participants, aged from 6 months to 93 years. Follow-up visits are scheduled every 5 years, and in between participants receive follow-up questionnaires. Linkage is being established with medical registries and environmental data. LifeLines contains information on biochemistry, medical history, psychosocial characteristics, lifestyle and more. Genomic data are available including genome-wide genetic data of 15 638 participants. Fasting blood and 24-h urine samples are processed on the day of collection and stored at -80 °C in a fully automated storage facility. The aim of LifeLines is to be a resource for the national and international scientific community. Requests for data and biomaterials can be submitted to the LifeLines Research Office [LLscience@umcg.nl].
authors.affiliation: LifeLines Cohort Study, Groningen, The Netherlands, s.scholtens@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Salome
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scholtens
authors.affiliation: LifeLines Cohort Study, Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Epidemiology.
authors.forename: Nynke
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Smidt
authors.affiliation: Genomics Coordination Center, Department of Genetics.
authors.forename: Morris A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Swertz
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine.
authors.forename: Stephan J L
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bakker
authors.affiliation: LifeLines Cohort Study, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Aafje
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dotinga
authors.affiliation: LifeLines Cohort Study, Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Epidemiology.
authors.forename: Judith M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Vonk
authors.affiliation: Genomics Coordination Center, Department of Genetics.
authors.forename: Freerk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Community and Occupational Medicine and.
authors.forename: Sander K R
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: van Zon
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics.
authors.forename: Cisca
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wijmenga
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Bruce H R
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Wolffenbuttel
authors.affiliation: LifeLines Cohort Study, Groningen, The Netherlands, Department of Epidemiology.
authors.forename: Ronald P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Stolk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D012042:Registries; D012107:Research Design; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult