Biobanking Science: ISBER Best Practices for Biobanks
Biobanks face the challenge of storing and handling many different types of biological samples. Unlike chemicals, biological samples are living. Therefore, it is much more difficult for biobanks to retain the normal structure and function of biological samples throughout...
Biobanking Science: Brainstorm Consortium Finds Genetic Link for Brain Diseases
One of the major benefits of biobanking is the ability to safely collect and store large numbers of biological samples. This allows researchers to generate large datasets to study the genetic cause of various diseases. The Brainstorm Consortium uses...
Biobanking Science: Cancer Biobanks
Cancer is major cause of death worldwide and mortality levels remain high despite the development of new therapeutics and other cancer treatments. Cancer biobanks are an integral part of the fight against cancer because they facilitate research into new...
Biobanking Science: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is one of the most common inherited heart diseases, affecting 1:200 people (1). Patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have thickened left ventricles which can lead to life-threatening complications such as arrhythmias, heart failure and sudden death (2). Hypertrophic...
Biobanking Science: Metabolomics Biobanks
Metabolomics, an important part of precision medicine, is the study of different metabolites in normal and disease states. Collecting, processing and storing samples for metabolomics studies presents unique challenges for biobanks.
Metabolites are small (low molecular weight) and unstable molecules....
Biobanking Science: Disease Patterns in UK Biobank Data
The UK Biobank is one of the biggest biobanking projects in the world with samples and data from over 500,000 participants aged 40 to 69 years. UK Biobank participants allow doctors to take repeat physiological measurements such as blood...
How Safe Are Your Samples?
Plastic storage tubes are used in laboratories worldwide to store biological and chemical samples, the most typical resin used is Polypropylene. There are many types and grades of polypropylene that are selected either on cost, molding properties or specific...
Biobanking Science: Biobanking Samples for Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer, affecting 1.8 million new patients and causing 862,000 deaths every year (1). Studies show that eating processed or red meat and drinking alcohol may increase the risk for colorectal cancer (2)....
Biobanking Science: Biobanks Tackle Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease is common. The prevalence of chronic kidney disease has rapidly increased over the past 20 years, and it now affects 13% of people around the world (1). Chronic kidney disease can be difficult to treat because...
Biobanking Science: CSF Biomarkers for Neurological Diseases
Biobanks can help in the search for biomarkers to diagnose brain diseases. Neurological diseases can be difficult to diagnose as they may have overlapping symptoms. Furthermore, there are currently no diagnostic tests for diseases such as Amylotrophic lateral sclerosis...
