The science of genetics is transforming medicine, and as a consequence, everyday life. Genetic risk factors are rapidly being identified for many diseases of later life. UK Biobank has been designed to help address the next scientific frontier - how an individual's genetic make-up, lifestyle and environment all interact to increase or decrease risk of disease. This is a complex field of study, and requires very large numbers of research participants. The availability of very detailed genetic, medical and lifestyle data make UKBB uniquely suited to providing ground-breaking new information in this field of study.