VIKING Genes

How You're Helping Research

We couldn't have managed any of our research in Shetland or Orkney without our volunteers. Here you can read about what we've achieved thanks to their help.

Viking II, a worldwide study of volunteers with ancestry from the Northern Isles of Scotland

Collage of Volunteers
Methodology of genetically distinct cohort study shows pathway for genomic medicine in population health.

A practical checklist for return of results from genomic research

Viking Genes' pioneering work helps European researchers to propose pathway checklist for return of genetic results to research participants.

Cancer risk gene variant discovered in Orkney

Orkney Complex Disease Study (ORCADES) volunteer data has helped to link a variant in the gene BRCA1 to a historic origin in Westray, Orkney.

Insights into the genetics of human height

ORCADES and Viking Health Study – Shetland volunteer data used in largest ever genetic study helps to identify 12,000 genetic variants associated with height.

New technology could uncover links between genetics and obesity

A new technology has been tested on the blood samples of 96 volunteers from the Orkney Complex Disease Study (ORCADES). It showed that specific cell surface proteins have genetic links to obesity.

Genetic map of protein heritability could unlock our understanding of Covid-19

Covid-19 virus in blue
This latest study maps the genetics of ACE2 - a protein which Covid-19 virus uses to enter the human body. The research included data from 1,000 Orkney Complex Disease Study (ORCADES) volunteers.

International siblings study sheds new light on the nature of the genetics of disease

Four siblings smiling
Data from groups of siblings – brothers and sisters – including 1,800 of our ORCADES and Viking Health Study - Shetland volunteers, were studied in this international research.

Regeneron Genetics Center partners with Viking Genes to read DNA in volunteer genes

Kirsty, a lab scientist, pipetting a solution into saliva samples for DNA Extraction
The Regeneron Genetics Center - a world-leading organization studying genetic causes of and interventions for disease - has agreed to use their facilities and expertise to exome sequence the DNA of Viking Genes volunteers. Learn more about what that means here.