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Biobanking Around the World
A number of countries have launched their own national tumor and tissue banks; others are teaming up to share resources. Here are a few of the largest biobanks and biobanking networks:
Biobank Japan
www.src.riken.jp/english/project/person
• National; collects tissue from hospital patients and the general population
• Focuses on common diseases and pharmacogenomic research
Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure
www.bbmri.eu
• Network of new and existing biobanks
• Brings together 200 organizations in 24 European Union countries; already manages 10 million samples
Estonian Genome Project
www.geenivaramu.ee
• National; collects tissue from the general population
• Started collecting tissue samples in 2002; hopes to reach 100,000 samples in the next three to four years
Singapore Tissue Network
www.stn.org.sg
• Tissue and DNA bank for translational and population research
• Collects, processes and disseminates tissue samples for specific research projects
UK Biobank
www.ukbiobank.ac.uk
• National; collects tissue from the general population
• Recruited its first donors in 2006; hopes to have 500,000 donors aged 40 to 69
For a list of more biobanks around the world, visit the Confederation of Cancer Biobanks at www.ncri.org.uk/ccb/links.html.
Source: Carolyn Compton