Join the world’s largest ME/CFS study

We aim to find genetic causes of why people become ill with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) with our ground-breaking research. Take part from your home.

We secured funding for the largest ever ME/CFS study to see whether the disease is partly genetic and, if so, help pinpoint what causes it. The study should help us understand the disease and ultimately find treatments

We need tens of thousands of people to take part by taking our questionnaire and providing a saliva sample so we can study their DNA. You can do both from home. The big 25k

We need 25,000 DNA samples and even more people to take our questionnaire.

We expanded the study to now also include up to 5,000 DNA samples from people who developed ME/CFS after a Covid-19 infection.

A female scientist in a laboratory

We invite anyone who is aged 16 or over, lives in the UK and has had an ME/CFS diagnosis from a healthcare professional to take part. 

The largest ever study of ME/CFS

DNA molecule formed by chains of people

The research

The study is being led by Professor Chris Ponting of the Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit at the University of Edinburgh.

People with myalgic encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) are at the heart of the study, with a patient and a carer as co-investigators alongside the scientists and a steering group of people with the illness, carers and charities.

The research is funded by the Medical Research Council and the National Institute for Health Research. To find out more, read our latest updates, FAQs and explanation of the science.

For more information on the study and taking part, view our Study Documents

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A partnership between

Action for ME logo
Forward ME Logo
UKRI MRC Human Genetics Unit logo
National Institute for health research