BRADFORD has recruited the highest number of volunteers for health studies in the UK over the past year - in what has been described as a "stunning achievement".
The team at the Bradford Institute for Health Research (BIHR), part of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, propelled itself into the coveted top spot after more than 25,000 Bradfordians signed up to take part in its growing portfolio of 86 live studies, new statistics reveal.
The studies include the ground-breaking Born in Bradford project, which charts the lives of thousands of local residents, looking at how some people fall sick, while others stay healthy.
Another study is Age of Wonder, a project capturing the journey through adolescence and adulthood for teenagers in Bradford - creating a picture of what it is like to grow up in the area.
Bradford leap-frogged individual hospitals and academic institutions in cities such as London, Oxford and Cambridge to take pole position nationally for the first time in the research volunteer league table.
The feat has been hailed by BIHR director, Professor John Wright, who said it underlined Bradford's rapid transformation from a "neglected backwater of medical research" into a true global leader.
"This is a stunning achievement that reflects both the amazing altruism and support from the people of Bradford and the pool of home-grown talent that exists across our research teams," he said.
"Just 15 years ago, the city was a neglected backwater of medical research.
"Today, we are leading the country - trailblazing flagship studies and securing world firsts, as well as overtaking the leading medical research centres in London, Oxford and Cambridge as the UK's top recruiting hospital.
"Thanks to the amazing people of Bradford, who continue to join our research journey in unprecedented numbers, we can all work together to advance science and help develop better treatments at pace and at scale."
He added: "Bradford has become a city of scientific discovery, a city of innovation.
"Above all, we are not just a City of Culture - we are now also a City of Research."
Meet some of the volunteers taking part in various health studies
The range of studies pioneered at BIHR means that research participants span all age groups - from unborn babies to people well into their 90s.
Syed and his family are part of the Born in Bradford study.
He said: "When you become a parent you want the best future for your children.
"By taking part in Born in Bradford I hope that me and my family can help, in our own small way, with how doctors can better understand the causes of ill health and find treatments to help our children and future generations."
Bradford teenagers including Lucy, Megan, Owen and Reuven are all taking part in Age of Wonder.
Lucy said: "It's like opening a window - a chance where I can speak my truth and how I feel and just make the world a little bit more aware of how teenagers feel."
Megan said: "When I'm older, it'll be really exciting to look back on what my thoughts were (while I was taking part in the study), and what I looked like, and what I thought about the world and what I wanted to be."
Owen said: "I think it's really important to hear young people's voices because the more you do, the more you get to know what other people's opinions are."
Reuven added: "I think the project is really interesting because you are getting loads of people from all over Bradford and learning from them.
"You will learn different stuff from different people."
Meanwhile, Anthony became the first participant in Europe to take part in a flagship medical research study into breathing difficulties.
He said: "It's amazing to be the first participant in Europe.
"I'm glad to help if it helps chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in other patients.
"I feel very privileged to be here at the BIHR.
"They are very nice people and it's very pleasant.
"And I'm glad to help."
To find out more about the research projects taking place in Bradford, and contribute to their future success by signing up, visit www.cityofresearch.org
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article