title: The Generation R Study: Biobank update 2015.
abstract: The Generation R Study is a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life until adulthood. The study is designed to identify early environmental and genetic causes and causal pathways leading to normal and abnormal growth, development and health from fetal life, childhood and young adulthood. In total, 9,778 mothers were enrolled in the study. Data collection in children and their parents include questionnaires, interviews, detailed physical and ultrasound examinations, behavioural observations, Magnetic Resonance Imaging and biological samples. Efforts have been conducted for collecting biological samples including blood, hair, faeces, nasal swabs, saliva and urine samples and generating genomics data on DNA, RNA and microbiome. In this paper, we give an update of the collection, processing and storage of these biological samples and available measures. Together with detailed phenotype measurements, these biological samples provide a unique resource for epidemiological studies focused on environmental exposures, genetic and genomic determinants and their interactions in relation to growth, health and development from fetal life onwards.
authors.affiliation: The Generation R Study Group (NA-2915), Erasmus University Medical Center, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Claudia J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kruithof
authors.forename: Marjolein N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Kooijman
authors.forename: Cornelia M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: van Duijn
authors.forename: Oscar H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Franco
authors.forename: Johan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: de Jongste
authors.forename: Caroline C W
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Klaver
authors.forename: Johan P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mackenbach
authors.forename: Henriëtte A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Moll
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Raat
authors.forename: Edmond H H M
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Rings
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rivadeneira
authors.forename: Eric A P
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Steegers
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tiemeier
authors.forename: Andre G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Uitterlinden
authors.forename: Frank C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Verhulst
authors.forename: Eppo B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Wolvius
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.forename: Vincent W V
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Jaddoe
mesh_terms: D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D004777:Environment; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D047109:Fetal Development; D005333:Fetus; D023281:Genomics; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012107:Research Design; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires