Biobanks collect, catalogue and store biological samples and associated clinical data. The specimens and data are collected from patients who are part of epidemiology studies or clinical trials, individual laboratory research studies, or who have agreed to be part of a patient cohort. Samples and information are only obtained with the informed consent of the patient.
Biobanks act as data stewards, and are responsible for ensuring patient privacy and ensuring that samples, or biospecimens, are only used for intended purposes. They are usually located in secure facilities within hospitals or research institutions.
The PROOF Centre analyses biospecimens collected from defined patient cohorts, for the discovery and validation of biomarkers. This work not only helps PROOF Centre researchers to gain a molecular understanding of the stages of disease progression, but is also helping the PROOF Centre to develop biomarkers for diagnostic and prognostic purposes and to identify novel therapeutic targets for drug discovery.