EOC Biobank

The EOC Biobank is a nonprofit service, a collaboration between the Institute of Laboratory Medicine, the Clinical Trial Unit and the EOC ICT Area. Its mission is to facilitate researchers' access to specimens and associated clinical data to conduct research projects and thus improve scientific knowledge for the treatment of diseases.

What is a biobank?

A Biobank is a facility for collecting human biological material (e.g., blood, bone, cartilage, etc.) and donor health data (e.g., sex, age, disease, etc.) in an organized manner and for an indefinite period of time. The stored material can be made available for already defined research projects or for future research projects.

Biobanks play a relevant role for researchers, as they allow them to quickly obtain enough samples to be able to carry out their research, especially in the area of rare and genetic diseases.

The EOC Biobank ensures:

  • The quality and integrity of the sample throughout its life cycle.
  • The safety of the operators.
  • The confidentiality of the donor.
  • The application of current regulations.
  • The traceability of biological samples and health data.

EOC Biobank

For researchers

The EOC Biobank ensures the highest quality standards required by international reference guidelines for biobanks. The services of the EOC Biobank are accessible to all EOC researchers or research groups outside the EOC.

New collection of biological specimens

The facility accepts sample collections from projects approved by the designated Ethics Committee.

Samples can be stored at room temperature and/or refrigerated temperature and for an unlimited period of time. The Biobank provides expertise in both process management and sample handling.

Access to collections

Researchers may request the use of samples stored at the EOC Biobank. The request is conditioned on the favorable opinion of the Scientific Council of the EOC Biobank. This opinion is based on the scientific value of the project and the opportunity to provide new knowledge to the scientific community. The Scientific Council's evaluation does not supersede the decision to authorize the research, which is the responsibility of the appointed Ethics Committee.

EOC partners

Collaboration with other partners makes it possible not only to share and increase knowledge, but also to pool a sufficient number of biological samples in order to obtain reliable and high-value scientific results.

The EOC Biobank actively collaborates with:

EOC biobank

For donors

Any patient accessing EOC hospital facilities can make their biological material and personal health data available. In this regard, patients are required to fill out a specific consent form, which allows them to express their wishes.

Confidentiality of information and privacy

The identity of donors is not disclosed in any way to third parties. The EOC Biobank is organized so as to comply with the provisions of current and relevant Swiss and international legislation, with particular reference to research on human beings and data protection. All employees involved in the activities of the Biobank are bound to professional secrecy, consistent with the provisions of the Swiss Penal Code.

Verification and control activities

Personal data processing processes and procedures have been evaluated and approved by the Data Protection and Privacy Service of the EOC. TheEOC Data Protection Officer (DPO) periodically performs audits aimed at assessing and certifying the compliance of the EOC Biobank's activities with relevant regulations in the field of data protection. For any additional information, the EOC Data Protection Officer is available.

FAQ

Can EOC staff collect and use my biological material and associated data for research purposes?

Biological samples and health data can be collected and used only if the donor has consented to it by signing a specific consent form. The consent form (specific informed consent or general consent for research) is a document that has been approved by the Canton Ethics Committee.

Can I request that my biological samples be destroyed?

Yes, consent can be revoked at any time without giving a reason. In that case, no more biological samples and health data will be collected from the date of revocation. Biological samples and health data collected up to that time will no longer be used for new projects. This does not apply to data and samples already used in the interim.

Has the use of my samples been approved by an independent regulatory authority?

Every researcher, before starting a research project, must seek permission from the Ethics Committee. No biological samples or health data may be used for research projects without the consent of the donor and the approval of the Ethics Committee.

Can samples and data be used/communicated outside the Biobank-EOC?

The purpose of the biobank is to collect biological samples and health data to later make them available to researchers in order to improve the knowledge of the scientific community. The Biobank-EOC can transfer biological specimens and health data to researchers who want to conduct their research in Switzerland as well as outside the country. In the event that biological samples and health data are transferred outside the Swiss territory, the Biobanca-EOC will verify and implement all measures to ensure the confidentiality of the donor and the application of national and international regulations.

How can I become a donor?

Anyone accessing an EOC facility can become a donor upon signing the consent. The EOC has made available a General Consent for Research that is available at all its facilities.

For more information you can ask your physician or contact [email protected].

The English version of this page was created with the aid of automatic translation tools and may contain errors and omissions.
The original version is the page in Italian.