About the research
Full project title: Exploiting the existing biomarker data available in CLOSER
This project produced a comparative catalogue of the biomarkers available across the CLOSER studies. A biomarker is a measurable biological characteristic or medical sign that is judged to be an indicator of normal biological processes or detrimental biological processes and certain diseases – for example, cholesterol levels are a biomarker and risk indicator for heart disease.
The catalogue focuses on biomarkers that can be extracted from samples of blood, saliva or urine, and includes data from six CLOSER studies. The project team looked specifically at which biological markers are typically included when calculating allostatic load, which is the term used to describe the biological ‘wear and tear’ associated with the body’s response to chronic or repeated episodes of stress. Findings on this topic were presented at a CLOSER workshop and an international conference in 2017.
Professor Meena Kumari
Research lead
Professor Meena Kumari (Institute for Social and Economic Research, University of Essex)
Studies used
- 1946 National Survey of Health and Development
- 1958 National Child Development Survey
- Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children
- Hertfordshire Cohort Study
- Southampton Women’s Study
- Understanding Society: The UK Household Longitudinal Study
Research outputs
CLOSER resource report
CLOSER workshop
- Allostatic Load: Construction and use in biosocial research
Conference presentation
- Allostatic Load: Components and Construction across the CLOSER Studies (Session A3, Society for Longitudinal and Life Course Studies International Conference 2017)
Read about other CLOSER data harmonisation projects.