Biobank UZ Gent

The biobank at UZ Gent is a storage facility for human body material (such as blood, tissue, urine and DNA). The samples are collected, processed, stored and distributed for scientific research. 

The biobank provides scientists access to a large collection of (tumor) samples, and coupled medical/clinical data. The biobank offers quality guarantee and functions as knowledge hub & access point tot other biobanks / collections / researchers.
 

The biobank collects, processes and stores biological material/samples (including tumor samples)

• Collection of samples. The biobank collaborates with researchers to optimize the flow from sampling to storage and data-management
• Processing of liquid samples - centrifugation/aliquoting, serum/plasma/CSF/PBMC isolation
• Processing of tissue samples - snapfreezing, viable tissue, virtual microscopy
• Quality control - DNA/RNA extraction & determination of concerntration, purity and integrity 
• Storage - different storage conditions possible (RT, -80 freezers, liquid nitrogen); monitoring and back-up is provided

Interested to obtain samples from the biobank UZ Gent for your research project?

• View the flowchart below
• Researchers can get an overview of the samples and data register that shows how much material is available for their research project. Before the biobank can release the samples, the Medical Ethics Committee must give permission.  

Would you like more details about the available samples and data? 

• Please contact the biobank UZ Gent. The biobank never releases samples from existing collections without permission from the principal investigator responsible for the collection.
• The Belgian Virtual Tumour Biobank (BVT) also offers cancer researchers an online catalogue that contains an overview of available tumor samples in Belgian biobanks - read more via the BVT website  

Important tips before requesting samples from the biobank UZ Gent:

• Within an informal request, please provide a good description of the requested samples (type & number of samples, pathology, minimal volume, sample characteristics, inclusion/exclusion criteria)
• Specify the associated data 
• Brief description of the research project and methods
• Allocate budget to obtain the samples (use of samples is not for free)
• Engage the biobank early if you are interested in setting up a prospective collection 

• biobank manager: Dr. Elke Berneel
• website UZ biobank with all detailed information
• mail: biobank@uzgent.be 
• tel: 09 332 36 73