Newcastle has a strong tradition of curating research samples and developing biobanks.
We have built a significant biobank of over three million tissue and fluid samples in partnership with the North East Innovation Lab from Newcastle Hospitals. The clinical samples are both archived and collected prospectively for clients to support with research and development.
We collect, store and provide samples to developers and researchers to support the development of diagnostic tests.
Carefully categorised samples with associated meta data
The thousands of unique samples in our biobank include:
- Respiratory swabs (nose, throat, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal)
- Saliva
- Blood
- Serum
- Plasma
- Urine
- Faeces
- Tissue
- DNA and RNA
The biobank also includes a huge tissue archive of Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) blocks used for tissue preservation dating back some 25 years. To give some context to this, currently more than 200,000 blocks per year are collected and stored.
Samples can be provided with key associated metadata for example our SARS-CoV-2 samples have known variant status.
We continue to grow our biobank across a range of diseases and provide them to researchers and developers.
If you require a sample type that you don’t see mentioned above, we can search archived hospital samples and arrange prospective collections, please contact us to discuss.
Sample collection
Our research nurse and sample collection team obtain samples regularly from across Newcastle Hospitals and we also have the governance to collect clinical samples including paired tissue / liquid biopsy collection under bespoke protocols to meet clients’ needs.
Transporting samples
We have the experience to ship temperature-sensitive, perishable samples within the UK, Europe and worldwide. Our samples have been used to validate proof of concept studies, prototype design and to gain regulatory approval from a variety of businesses. To date, we have supplied thousands of samples to our customers.
Registered with the Human Tissue Authority
Our biobank is registered with the Human Tissue Authority and meets all stringent criteria for storage, informed consent and traceability of samples. Managed by our senior scientist Dr Donna Nile, the biobank is held securely on site in our laboratory area, providing easy access to the samples required to carry out validation and testing work.
Samples held in our biobank are collected as part of registered protocols approved by the Research Ethics Committee of North East – Newcastle and Tyneside 1 (IRAS 218428).
Read our case studies to learn more about the biobank. For more information please contact us.
