Abstract
Irreproducibility of research results is one of the major contributing factors to the failure of translating basic research results into tangible bedside progress. To address this, the University Biobank Limburg (UBiLim) was founded by a collaboration between Hasselt University, the Hospital East-Limburg, and the Jessa Hospital. This paper describes the evolution of this process and the barriers encountered on the way. UBiLim evolved from an archival collection over a single-site biobank into a federated structure, supporting translational research at the founding institutions. Currently, UBiLim is a federated biobank, with an established organizational structure and processing, and storage facilities at each of the three sites. All activities are integrated in an ISO15189-accredited Quality Management System and based on (inter)national biobank guidelines. Common methods for processing and storage of a plethora of sample types, suitable for state-of-the-art applications, were validated and implemented. Because the biobank is embedded in two hospitals, the request of researchers to include certain sample types or enroll specific patient groups can quickly be met. Funding has been a major challenge in each step of its evolution and remains the biggest issue for long-term biobank sustainability. To a lesser extent, the Belgian legislation and the operational cost of information management system are also concerns for smooth biobank operations. Nonetheless, UBiLim serves as a facilitator and accelerator for translational research in the Limburg area of Belgium that, given the fields of research, may have an impact on international patient care.
Highlights
Despite major advances in life sciences and medical technologies, there often is a large gap between basic science outcomes and their translation into the clinic [1]
For the hematology data of the registry, it relied on a close collaboration with the Virga Jessa Hospital (Hasselt, Belgium), which routinely stored bone marrow (BM) smears used for the registration
This paper describes the evolution of an archival collection into a professional, federated biobank structure that successfully supports multi-domain translational research through provision of qualitative sample processing, storage, and distribution activities
Summary
Despite major advances in life sciences and medical technologies, there often is a large gap between basic science outcomes and their translation into the clinic [1]. Scandinavia has a headstart in establishing these networks because of their long tradition of large-scale biobanking combined with comprehensive, population-based health data registries linkable to unique personal identifiers, enabling followup studies spanning many decades [6]. In 2004, these Nordic biobanks partnered together in the “Cancer control using population-based registries and biobanks (CCPRB)” project The goal of this project was to facilitate and improve cancer research by combining biobank samples and registry data and to establish Good Biobanking Practices [7]. In 2006, the CCPRB consortium decided to transform the ongoing hematology collection into an actual biobank This was the founding step for the creation of the translational research supporting University Biobank Limburg (UBiLim), a collaboration between two regional hospitals and a university. It highlights the barriers that were overcome at each stage
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