Imagine spending nearly 50 years collecting thousands of blood, urine, hair, toenail, and even stool samples from over 200,000 people—all in the name of science.

Now, imagine all that priceless data being tossed out like garbage.

That’s exactly what researchers at Harvard University are facing.

The Treasure Trove That Tracked the Human Body for Half a Century

Since 1976, Harvard has quietly been running one of the world’s most ambitious health studies, gathering biological samples from tens of thousands of people—teachers, nurses, health professionals—who’ve been tracked for decades.

Through surveys, sample collections, and clinical data, scientists have mapped how our bodies respond to lifestyle, diet, aging, and disease.

Participants from two landmark studies—the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study—have generously provided everything from toenail clippings to blood samples.

Many of them have done so for more than 40 years, allowing researchers to spot long-term patterns and potential health breakthroughs.

Why This Collection Could Crack the Code on Cancer and Longevity

Dr. Walter Willett, who’s been part of the project since 1977, says this collection could help uncover the biological roots of colon cancer, a disease now rising in young adults, and even offer clues to what helps people live longer.

The project already led to findings linking red meat to diabetes, trans fats to heart disease, and inflammation markers to cancer risk.

It even influenced the FDA’s 2018 decision to ban trans fats in food.

Millions in Federal Funding Suddenly Cut

But now, the entire operation is on the brink of collapse.

The project, once backed by three federal grants worth $5 million annually, lost its funding under the Trump administration as part of a broader crackdown on Harvard.

The university has already seen over $3 billion in funding slashed in recent years.

Emergency funds from Harvard have kept the biobank going for now, but Dr. Willett warns that money could run out in just weeks.

If no new support is found, the samples—kept in massive liquid nitrogen-cooled freezers—may be incinerated.

Not Just Blood and Urine—This Archive Has Changed Public Health

Over the years, these samples have formed the backbone of hundreds of studies.

Researchers have examined estrogen and breast cancer, vitamin D and colon cancer, even selenium levels in toenails and lung cancer risks.

Data from participant surveys also gave rise to key dietary guidelines and shaped public health policy.

One highlight: more than 400 cancer-related papers have emerged from the Nurses’ Health Study alone, along with nearly 300 ongoing projects and contributions to over 30 cancer research collaborations worldwide.

Keeping the Samples Alive Isn’t Cheap

Maintaining this biological goldmine is no small task.

The samples are stored in nearly 60 enormous freezers—each five feet tall and filled with liquid nitrogen cooled to -320°F. These machines cost about $300,000 a year just to operate.

And that doesn’t include the manpower needed to manage and distribute samples for ongoing research.

Desperate Search for New Backers

Some help has started to trickle in. The Breast Cancer Research Foundation has agreed to preserve a portion of the cancer-related samples.

But for the rest of the biobank—blood, urine, hair, and more—the future remains uncertain.

Dr. Willett and his team are racing against time, reaching out to new potential funders to save the rest of the collection.

“We can’t let this disappear,” he told DailyMail.com. “It would be a huge loss to science.”

A Broader Battle Between Politics and Research

The cuts come amid ongoing tension between Harvard and the Trump administration.

Beyond slashing research funding, recent efforts have included attempts to restrict international student access and criticisms over how the university has handled pro-Palestinian protests and antisemitism claims on campus.

For now, the fate of the collection—and the future insights it holds—hangs in the balance.