Biobanks

What is biobanking?

Biobanking is storing remaining human tissue that has been removed during a medical procedure such as an operation, a biopsy, or a blood test. This extra tissue is not needed for diagnosis or treatment. Written consent is obtained from a donor and the tissue is sent to a biobank, where it is carefully preserved and protected.

Scientists use tissues from these banks to study disease and find better ways to diagnose, prevent, and treat health conditions in the future. There are a number biobanks that currently operate in Australia, however the David Serisier Respiratory Biobank (DSRB) is the only biobank dedicated to collecting human biological specimens and associated patient data for the purpose of research into lung conditions and disease. 

Gynaecological and Breast Cancer Biobank

Mater’s Gynaecological and Breast Cancer Biobank was formed to obtain, for ongoing research, samples of resected tumour, draining lymph nodes (when available), ascites, pleural fluid, peritoneal washings, blood and saliva from patients with, or suspected of having, a gynaecological or breast cancer. 

David Serisier Respiratory Biobank

The David Serisier Respiratory Biobank is the only biobank in Australia dedicated to aiding and facilitating research into respiratory disease.

Mater Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Biobank

The Mater IBD Biobank was conceived to collect biospecimens from patients and healthy controls undergoing endoscopy to help elucidate the complex causes of IBD, the progression of disease over time, the various phenotypic manifestations and explore the complex interaction between the immune system and the gut ecosystem.