UK Biobank confirms 100,000 MRI scan milestone reached

More than 100,000 participants have undergone whole-body MRI scans as part of a UK Biobank imaging project to enable earlier detection, improved diagnosis and more personalised treatment for a range of conditions.

Since the project began more than a decade ago, Siemens Healthineers has been working closely with UK Biobank to deliver consistent imaging performance across all study sites.

The scale and depth of the imaging data is allowing scientists to investigate diseases of middle-to-old age and monitor the progression of common conditions with precision to uncover insights about how lifestyle factors influence health which could lead to better diagnosis and treatment.

Sir Rory Collins, principal investigator and chief executive of UK Biobank, said: “The unprecedented scale of this imaging project – more than 10 times bigger than anything that existed before – makes it possible for scientists to see patterns of disease that just couldn’t otherwise be seen.

“Collecting scans from 100,000 volunteers seemed to be a pipe dream… some experts even asked if we’d included an extra zero by mistake.

“This massive imaging project is making the invisible visible. What’s more, by combining these images from different parts of the body with all the genetic and lifestyle information from our volunteers, scientists are getting a far better understanding of how our bodies work.”

The MRI systems comprise of four 1.5T and four 3T MRI scanners which deliver high-quality and reproducible images under demanding conditions, supported by technical expertise.

Each imaging appointment lasts approximately five hours, during which over 12,000 MRI images are captured from the brain, heart, and abdomen of every participant. These sessions also include other assessments such as full-body scans to assess bone density and body fat.

Craig Buckley, DI head of scientific marketing at Siemens Healthineers Great Britain and Ireland, said: “We are extremely proud to be part of this landmark achievement.

“This milestone reflects the dedication of the researchers and participants and the enduring partnership between our organisations.

“Our MRI technology is designed to deliver the quality, consistency and innovation required for studies of this scale. Together, we are enabling discoveries that have the potential to transform how we detect, diagnose and treat serious health conditions.”

Meanwhile, in October 2024, UK Biobank “strongly” refuted claims that researchers accessed volunteers’ sensitive health information to use as part of a fringe race science’ network.