Consented Samples
The Partners Biobank provides banked samples (plasma, serum, and DNA) collected from consented patients. These samples are available for distribution to Partners HealthCare investigators with appropriate approval from the Partners Institutional Review board (IRB). They are linked to clinical data from the Electronic Medical Record, as well as survey data on lifestyle, environment and family history.
To date, more than 80,000 patients have consented to join the Partners Biobank at Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital (SRH). The samples are stored in a new central facility in Cambridge, MA. An additional 1,000 to 2,000 patients decide to participate in the Partners Biobank every month.
Investigators may define sample requests based on clinical data, research survey data, and sample attributes. A new query tool, called the Biobank Portal, combines these search criteria for easy access to the samples stored in the Biobank. Moreover, sample requests may also be based on:
- Cohorts of healthy controls calculated with the Charlson Comorbidity Index.
- Validated disease populations, based on statistical algorithms. To date these sets include Bipolar Disorder, Congestive Heart Failure, Coronary Artery Disease, Crohn’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, and Ulcerative Colitis. More disease populations will be validated in the future.
The value of the Partners Biobank to the research community increases in line with the number of patients who participate in the initiative. So far, we have build up significant cohorts in several key research areas. We continue to build the Biobank in the hope and expectation that it will help accelerate medical research. Please contact us with any questions.
How to request samples
To get started with a sample request, please contact us at biobank@partners.org or make a sample request in the Biobank Portal. The Biobank Portal is a web-based tool that enables queries and sample requests.
The Biobank wiki provides instructions on how to register for and use the Biobank Portal. If you need any assistance, please contact us at biobank@partners.org and we’ll be happy to help.