Systematic Population Omics Cohort Knowledgebase (SPOCK)
An independent, evidence-based survey of major population cohorts, built to inform study design for researchers across proteomics, genomics, and translational medicine.
33
Cohorts Surveyed
5M+
Target participants (largest)
11
Scored dimensions
6
Continents represented
3
With existing proteomics data
2M+
Participants with genetics
Global Biobank Coverage
State of Population Biobanks, 2026
- No single biobank is optimal for all research goals — study design requirements should drive cohort selection.
- UK Biobank remains the gold standard for deep multi-omic phenotyping, but non-White ancestries representation is a known limitation (~94% White European).
- Our Future Health offers unprecedented scale (5M target) and re-contact capability, but multi-omics infrastructure is nascent.
- FinnGen and deCODE provide exceptional genomic depth and disease enrichment in founder populations.
- Million Veteran Program and All of Us lead on non-White ancestries for US-based research.
- Data access timelines vary enormously — from weeks (FinnGen summary stats) to 12+ months (bespoke UK Biobank applications).
High-Level Guidance
1
For deep proteomics discovery (existing data):
UK Biobank (UKB-PPP, Olink full cohort)
2
For large-scale translational research with participant re-contact:
Our Future Health
3
For founder population genetics with disease enrichment:
FinnGen or deCODE
4
For ancestrally diverse US cohorts:
Million Veteran Program or All of Us
5
For cardiovascular and metabolic disease focus with Nordic data:
HUNT or AGES-Reykjavik
6
For European cancer cohorts with pre-diagnostic samples:
EPIC (IARC)
SPOCK is an independent resource. Access timelines and costs are estimates based on published information and researcher experience. Always verify current terms directly with the relevant biobank. Data accuracy cutoff: April 4, 2026.