Description: A biobank is a facility that collects, stores, and manages biological samples, such as tissues, blood, urine, and DNA, with the aim of facilitating scientific and medical research. These samples are essential for studying various diseases, genetics, pharmacology, and epidemiology. Biobanks allow researchers to access a wide variety of samples, helping them identify biomarkers, develop treatments, and better understand the biological bases of diseases. Additionally, biobanks often include clinical and demographic information from donors, further enriching data analysis. The management of these samples is conducted under strict ethical and quality standards, ensuring donor privacy and sample integrity. Today, biobanks are a fundamental tool in bioinformatics, as they enable the integration of biological and clinical data for computational analysis, facilitating research in areas such as personalized medicine and genomics.
History: The concept of biobanking began to take shape in the 1990s when the importance of storing biological samples for medical research was recognized. One of the most significant milestones was the establishment of the UK Biobank in 2006, which collected samples from over 500,000 participants to study the relationship between genetics and health. Since then, many countries have developed their own biobanks, driven by the need for data for public health research and personalized medicine.
Uses: Biobanks are primarily used in biomedical research to study diseases, develop treatments, and conduct epidemiological studies. They are also essential in genetic research, allowing the analysis of genetic variations in populations. Additionally, biobanks can be used for biomarker validation and in clinical trials, facilitating the identification of suitable patients for specific treatments.
Examples: A notable example is the UK Biobank, which has provided data for thousands of studies on chronic diseases and their relationship with genetic and environmental factors. Another example is the Harvard University Biobank, which focuses on cancer and cardiovascular disease research, providing samples and data to researchers worldwide.
