The BBRS supports scientists by providing high quality human samples and de-identified data for cancer research. There are 3 kinds of users who are interested in using the BBRS samples for research:
- Academics affiliated with BC Cancer and university institutions who are funded by academic sources
- Academics sponsored and funded in whole or in part from industry or commercial sources through a range of mechanisms that support academic research
- Industry users
The BBRS is especially interested in working with the first two kinds of users but may support direct purpose minimal risk industry applications to access the BBRS for research purposes. All researchers that apply to use samples need to have approval from the local research ethics board to check they are safe. The BBRS has an Access Committee that reviews applications for samples to ensure they are scientifically worthwhile. In addition, Industry applications will also be reviewed by the BC Cancer Technology Development Office.
The biobank's first release of tissue and data for research was in 2009 and to date 66 studies have or are currently being supported.
Samples and data have been released for research from the following tumour types:
Breast
Colorectal
Esophageal
Lung
Melanoma
Ovarian
Prostate
Stomach
The BBRS remains active in the science of biobanking and collaborates to publish relevant and timely papers.
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