Question 1

What does "IRB-approved" mean?

Accepted Answer

IRB stands for Institutional Review Board — an independent ethics committee that reviews and oversees research involving human participants (e.g., members). IRB approval means our study meets established ethical standards for member safety, informed consent, and data protection.

Question 2

What does the study look like?

Accepted Answer

Location: You can take part from anywhere in the U.S. Study visits happen where you are, not at a clinic. Depending on the study, we ship a study kit to your home and a mobile phlebotomist comes to you to conduct the study visit.

Duration: The study is longitudinal, meaning we follow our members over time. The minimum participation length is 2 years. After that, we check in to ask whether you would like to continue.

Study Visits: Members complete at least one study visit per year. Your study team will let you know what to expect for your study.

Age range: Adults 18 and older.

Question 3

What is the purpose of these studies?

Accepted Answer

Onyx aims to advance precision medicine by helping researchers better understand how the immune system changes over time. By combining blood samples, medical records, and health information from many members over time, the study seeks to generate insights that may improve the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of immune-related diseases.

Question 4

Who is behind Onyx?

Accepted Answer

Onyx is a research collective based in Berkeley, California. Our founders received their PhDs at UC Berkeley. Our studies are IRB-approved, meaning an independent ethics board oversees how the research is conducted and how member data is handled. Questions? Email support@onyx.bio and we'll get back to you.

Question 5

How are members compensated?

Accepted Answer

Enrolled members receive $100 for each completed study visit. Study visits typically involve giving a blood sample for our research team to study. Compensation is issued after each visit is completed.

We currently compensate our members directly through Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal. This is subject to change. If you prefer another method, contact us and we may be able to accommodate.

Question 6

How is study compensation decided, and can it change?

Accepted Answer

Compensation is set to fairly recognize the time and effort it takes to participate, such as completing a study visit. Like every part of a research study, the amount is reviewed and approved by our IRB. Following the standards set out in the Common Rule (45 CFR part 46), the IRB checks that compensation is fair and appropriate, and that it is never so high that it could pressure someone into joining or staying.

The amount is the same for every participant: $100 for each completed study visit. It is not based on your health, your results, or anything specific to you, and it is not adjusted from one person to the next.

As for whether it can change: your per-visit amount will not go up or down based on you as an individual. If the study's compensation were ever updated, that change would apply to all members, go through IRB review, and we would let you know ahead of time.

Question 7

What does study participation involve?

Accepted Answer

As a research member, you authorize us to request your medical records on your behalf. At each visit, you give a blood sample for our research team to study and answer a short set of questions about your health.

Here is how a visit works:

We first ship a study kit to your home, holding the supplies your mobile phlebotomist needs.

Once it arrives, a mobile phlebotomist contacts you to schedule a time, then comes to you to complete your study visit.

No clinic trip is required. Some visits may also include short tests of movement and memory.

Question 8

Will I be getting any medical care through the research study?

Accepted Answer

Your medical care stays entirely between you and your own doctors. If you ever have questions about your own health, your personal doctor is the right person to help, and they can arrange any clinical testing you may need.

Question 9

Will I receive my own results from the study?

Accepted Answer

Individual results are not routinely returned. Most study results come from research labs, and a federal law called CLIA limits which lab results can be shared for use in diagnosis or treatment. You may ask for your results, and we will share those the law allows. Shared results are for research only and are not a diagnosis.

What we can share are study-wide findings. As the research progresses, we'll share what we're learning overall. These describe the group as a whole, not any single member.

If you want to understand what's happening in your own body, your doctor is the right place to start. A research finding isn't a substitute for a test they order.

Question 10

Do I need to stop my current medication or start a new treatment to participate?

Accepted Answer

No. This study is observational, also called non-interventional, and does not require you to start or stop any treatments.

Question 11

My condition isn't listed. Can I still participate?

Accepted Answer

Our studies cover a broad range of immune-mediated and inflammatory conditions beyond what may be shown in a single ad. If your condition isn't specifically mentioned, we still encourage you to complete the prescreening questionnaire anyway. We review all completed prescreening questionnaires and may be able to include you. We are adding new conditions over time.

Question 12

Who can join an Onyx study?

Accepted Answer

Eligibility depends on the specific study. Some studies enroll people with one or more autoimmune or immune-related conditions, while others enroll healthy members to help establish baseline measurements for comparison. Additional eligibility criteria are reviewed during screening. Visit our studies page to see what's currently open.

Question 13

I submitted my prescreening questionnaire but haven't heard back. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

We review every completed prescreening questionnaire, and response times can vary. If you haven't heard back, please email support@onyx.bio with your name and the study you applied for. Our team will follow up as quickly as possible.

Question 14

How is my data protected?

Accepted Answer

Your information is handled in line with HIPAA protections. Before your medical records and samples are used for research, your medical record data is de-identified — meaning personal details like your name, address, phone number, and email are removed. Your personal information is not sold to third parties. You can read our full privacy policy for more detail.

Question 15

I'm having a technical issue with the application. How do I get help?

Accepted Answer

If you're experiencing issues with email verification, the prescreening questionnaire, or any other step, please email support@onyx.bio and describe the issue. Our team can help you complete your application.

Frequently asked questions

About the studies

Details on participation

Eligibility and enrollment

Privacy and support

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