Reinforcing biomedical research
The goal of a central biobank facility is to accelerate and optimize scientific research using human biomaterials, leading to reliable, relevant scientific breakthroughs and better health outcomes for all.
A biobank facility achieves this by:
In-depth knowledge, collaboration, and ethical responsibility
- Establishing efficient processes for the collection, processing, storage, management, and use of high-quality biomaterials suitable for future research goals
- Relieving researchers by supporting them with ethical approvals and research procedures.
Reinforcing biomedical research
A central biobank facility does more than just store human biomaterials. It is a dynamic, knowledge-driven organization that actively contributes to scientific progress. It processes and stores biomaterials and distributes them, but its core function and true strength lie in the service and expertise it offers researchers. This encompasses all aspects and processes related to setting up and managing a biobank collection.
A biobank facilitates an efficient, state-of-the-art infrastructure that relieves researchers. It provides access to high-quality biomaterials that are essential for conducting innovative research and improving healthcare. By supporting researchers in setting up a biobank collection, they can work faster and more effectively, gaining new insights more quickly. The quality of biomaterials such as DNA, serum, plasma, urine, and tissues is ensured through careful collection, processing, and storage according to standard operating procedures, which make the materials suitable for future research. Ongoing quality control throughout the entire process also enhances quality: from staff training to real-time monitoring of deviations during storage. This ensures that the samples provided to researchers are not only timely but also in the best possible condition for reliable analysis. This increases the relevance and accuracy of research findings.
Furthermore, the biobank facility forms an essential link between scientific research on one side and citizens and patients on the other. The management of samples and the associated data is carefully performed, not only from a technical perspective as described above but also from ethical, legal, and social viewpoints. The trust of citizens and patients is crucial for the success and sustainability of biobank collections. This trust is ensured through transparent communication, ethically, legally, and socially responsible practices, and the careful protection of personal data.
Thus, a biobank facility is much more than the sum of its stored biobank collections. It is an active player in the research landscape, supporting researchers with expertise, advice, and quality standards. As a crucial partner, the biobank facility enables scientists to not only work faster but also deliver more reliable and relevant scientific research, with the ultimate goal of achieving better health outcomes for all.
5 years of sustainable biobanking
Facilities Biobank
We offer professionally maintained long-term storage for collections with standardization in the areas of ICT, legal-ethical aspects, biobanking, communication and distribution. This is an efficient, high-quality service for scientific research and medical innovation.
Financial administration
The Radboud Biobank is a non-profit institution and administrative fees help cover operating costs.
read moreHealth-RI Theme Biobanks & Collections
Achieving the overarching Health-RI mission of building a national health data infrastructure for research and innovation requires the findability, accessibility, and comparability of data from a wide range of registries, databanks, and biobanks.
The Health-RI theme Biobanks & Collections therefore facilitates that health data, biomaterials, and images are collected, managed, and made available in a harmonised manner.
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Organization
The Radboud Biobank is positioned as a technology center within the Research Institute for Medical Innovation.
read moreOrganization
The Radboud Biobank is positioned as a technology center within the Research Institute for Medical Innovation. The day-to-day running of the Radboud Biobank is the responsibility of the Head of the Radboud Biobank. The Radboud Biobank Head is accountable to the Research Institute for Medical Innovation’s Director of Operations. For strategic policy making, a User Council has been established in which (potential) Radboud Biobank users are represented. The council is chaired by a donor representative.
Right of say over biomaterial and clinical data stored in the Radboud Biobank
The biomaterial and the associated data in the Radboud Biobank are entrusted by patients to the overseeing body (for example, an academic department) for future research. The patient transfers his/her ‘right of say’ to the department after signing informed consent. De department owns the collection, and the Radboud Biobank manages the biomaterial and associated data. The inclusion of biomaterial and the associated data in the Radboud Biobank as a collection will be determined conform the guidelines defined by the Radboud Biobank. Both the Radboud Biobank and the collectors ensure that the biomaterial and the associated data are collected, stored, and used in observance of pertaining legal rights and existing codes of conduct.