Why Participate?

Why Participate?

Why Participate?

Join TwinsUK and contribute to world-leading health research. By participating, you’ll help us uncover how genetics, lifestyle, and environment impact human health and ageing. Our twin studies offer unique insights into various conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and even the microbiome. Your involvement will directly support research that aims to improve the understanding and treatment of common diseases affecting millions.

Benefits of Participation

  • Personal Health Insights: Receive clinically useful health information, such as cholesterol, diabetes checks, and bone density results, after your visit.
  • Be Part of Groundbreaking Research: Your participation helps scientists unlock key findings about health, ageing, and genetics that benefit the global population.
  • Stay Engaged: Regular opportunities to take part in studies, clinical visits, and postal questionnaires allow you to actively contribute at your own pace.

Who Can Join?

We welcome twins—both identical and non-identical—who are 18 years of age or older. You can join our registry whether you live in the UK or overseas.

Please note: Twins of different sex are eligible to register and receive updates but may not always be contacted for certain studies, as some research focuses on comparing same-sex twins for more consistent results.

Important: If you are not a twin, please do not register. However, you are still welcome to participate in our COVID-19 symptom tracking study, which is open to everyone. Find more details here.

How to Register

PHONE: +44 (0) 20 7848 4444

EMAIL: twinsuk@kcl.ac.uk

ONLINE: Complete a few simple steps to register with us on our website.

By supplying your personal details, you agree for us to store and contact you at regular intervals. Rest assured, no personal information will be shared with external organizations without your prior consent.

1. Full-Day Twin Research Visit

Every four years, all twins are invited to visit the Department of Twin Research at St Thomas’ Hospital in London for a comprehensive day of testing.

This includes:

  • Blood tests (e.g., cholesterol, diabetes checks, and DNA collection)
  • Bone density scans
  • Blood pressure and cardiac assessments
  • Fitness and sensory tests
  • Eye exams and more

Results from clinically useful tests are sent to participants within 6-8 weeks of the visit.

2. Postal Studies

You may be invited to take part in research through postal studies. This could involve sending samples or completing surveys from the comfort of your home.

3. Questionnaires

We send one or two questionnaires each year via post or email. These cover various health topics and contribute to longitudinal data that help track changes in health over time.

4. Specific Condition Studies

Occasionally, certain subsets of twins are invited to participate in studies focused on specific conditions or diseases. These studies provide valuable insights into targeted areas of health and disease progression.

Thank you for considering joining TwinsUK! Your participation is vital to advancing scientific knowledge and improving public health.