The main idea:
From one donation to myriad possibilities for research around the world – finding cures and diagnostics for ME/CFS
Leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of tomorrow.
The most comprehensive longitudinal ME/CFS biobank in the world, designed to track change over time and support research worldwide, including samples collected before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
CureME was founded by Eliana Lacerda and Luis Nacul at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine following more than a decade of work in ME/CFS research. Their vision was to create a world-leading research programme and a high-quality biobank that could transform understanding of ME/CFS through rigorous clinical, epidemiological and laboratory science.
In 2011, they established the UK ME/CFS Biobank with support from ME charities, researchers, clinicians and people with lived experience of ME/CFS. Under their leadership, the biobank has grown into the largest ME/CFS biobank in Europe and holds the world’s largest longitudinal collection of ME/CFS samples and clinical data.
A major strength of the collection is that it includes samples gathered both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This provides a unique opportunity to investigate the biological mechanisms of ME/CFS and Long COVID, helping researchers distinguish ME/CFS from post-COVID illness while also identifying areas of overlap between the conditions.
Today, CureME is recognised internationally as a leading centre for ME/CFS research. The team brings together clinicians, epidemiologists and immunologists and has led major collaborative studies funded by UK charities and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Founders of the UK – ME/CFS biobank
Dr Luis Nacul co-founded CureME and directs its multidisciplinary research programme, combining epidemiology, clinical care and public health to advance understanding of ME/CFS worldwide.
Dr Eliana Lacerda led the clinical and scientific development of CureME from 2007 until she retired in 2025, helping establish the UK ME/CFS Biobank and advancing international research into ME/CFS and Long COVID.