Family History of Autoimmune Diseases
At Benaroya Research Institute (BRI), our research focuses not only on what happens when the immune system malfunctions, but also on what a healthy immune system looks like.
By participating as healthy volunteers, family members of those with autoimmune conditions help establish a clearer picture of normal immune function. In some studies, participation may include risk screening, which looks for biological markers that can appear before symptoms of an immune-mediated condition develop.
Our scientists compare immune cell samples from people with autoimmune or immune-mediated disease to samples from individuals without these conditions. These comparisons help researchers identify early changes in immune function, which can point to early warning signs of disease and guide the development of new treatments.
Contact us to learn more about risk screening or study participation.
Family History of Autoimmune Diseases Clinical Studies
- BRIAR (Benaroya Research Institute Autoimmune Registry)
By enrolling, you will provide basic health information that helps us match you to current and future studies, and you will receive periodic research updates from Benaroya Research Institute (BRI). All the information you provide will be kept confidential and participation in future studies is always voluntary.
Eligibility includes any of the following:
- a personal history of one or more autoimmune/immune-mediated condition(s)
- a healthy immune system, without any autoimmune/immune-mediated conditions
- a family history of one or more autoimmune/immune-mediated condition(s)
- Healthy Control Biorepository
BRI’s Healthy Control Biorepository is a confidential list of people with no immune system disease, who are willing to donate a blood sample and provide health information for scientific research.
- Pathway to Prevention Study (T1D Risk Screening)
TrialNet Diabetes Risk Screening is available and free to eligible family members of people with type 1 diabetes through an international research effort and BRI.
Eligibility includes:
- Individuals who are 2-45 years of age with a parent, child, brother or sister with type 1 diabetes
- Individual who are 2-20 years of age with a niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, grandparent, half-sibling or cousin with type 1 diabetes
- Individuals age 2-45 years that have tested positive for at least one T1D related autoantibody outside of TrialNet
- Limited rescreening is available for those under age 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I get started contributing to BRI research?
The best way to get started is by joining the Benaroya Research Institute Autoimmune Registry (BRIAR). BRIAR connects volunteers with research opportunities that match their interests, health history and eligibility. By enrolling in BRIAR, you may be invited to participate in surveys, biorepositories, observational studies and clinical trials as opportunities become available.
Joining BRIAR does not obligate you to participate in any future study, it simply gives researchers a snapshot of your health history. It also allows BRI researchers to contact you about research participation opportunities that may be a good fit.
You can also explore current studies through the BRI website or contact the Center for Interventional Immunology (CII) Outreach Team to learn more.
- What is the difference between a registry, a biorepository and a clinical trial?
A registry is a secure database that stores health information from volunteers who are interested in participating in research. Researchers use registries to better understand diseases at a population level and identify people who may be eligible for future studies. At Benaroya Research Institute, BRIAR is our autoimmune research registry, designed to connect interested volunteers with future research opportunities.
A biorepository is a collection of biological samples, such as blood, saliva, DNA or tissue, that researchers use to better understand health and disease. Participants may contribute samples and health information, but they do not receive an investigational treatment as part of a biorepository.
A clinical trial is a research study that evaluates a new treatment, intervention or approach to care. Clinical trials follow a specific protocol and may involve study medications, devices, procedures or additional health monitoring.
Registries, biorepositories and clinical trials are all essential to advancing medical research, but they involve different levels of participation and commitment.
- How much does it cost?
There is no cost to participate in BRI research studies. Study-related procedures and tests are provided at no charge to participants. Some studies may also offer compensation for time and travel.
The research team will review any study-specific reimbursements or compensation with you before enrollment.
- What is your patient privacy policy?
Protecting your privacy is a top priority. BRI follows strict federal, state and institutional regulations designed to safeguard participant information. Personal information is stored securely and shared only as permitted by law and approved research protocols.
Before participating, you will receive detailed information about how your data and samples will be collected, stored, used and protected. You will have the opportunity to ask questions before providing consent.
- Who do I contact with questions about participation?
The Center for Interventional Immunology (CII) Outreach Team is here to help. Whether you have questions about research opportunities, eligibility, enrollment or the participation process, our team can connect you with studies that match your interests and answer any questions you may have.
CII Outreach Team
Email: participate@benaroyaresearch.org
Phone: 206.287.5624
News
Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, and GentiBio Highlight Long Standing Scientific Collaboration Advancing GNTI 122 Into the Clinic
Read More
The Sound Life Project – New Finding Identifies Four Categories of Healthy Immune Systems
Read More
BRI Investigators Jane Buckner, MD, and Carmen Mikacenic, MD, Interviewed on the Arthritis Life Podcast
Read More
How Does Wildfire Smoke Impact the Immune System?
As wildfire smoke becomes more common in the Pacific Northwest, BRI scientists are learning more about how it influences immune system function. We asked Dr. Megan Smithmyer about her research in this area and a new study examining the immune systems of wildland firefighters.
Innovation Fund Spotlight: Single-Cell CRISPR Screening To Explore Genetics and Autoimmune Diseases
Together, Jessica Hamerman, PhD, and John Ray, PhD, are exploring the genetic roots of autoimmune disease using single-cell CRISPR screening.
An Insider's Look Into Clinical Trials at BRI
Before medicines become widely available, they have to be rigorously tested — first in the lab, then in people through clinical trials.
