BIOBANK OF EASTERN FINLAND
Biobank collects, administrates and preserves samples and the associated information for future research needs.
The Biobank of Eastern Finland is owned by the Wellbeing Services County of North Savo, the Wellbeing Services County of South Savo, the Wellbeing services county of North Karelia, and the University of Eastern Finland. The biobanks field of research covers the specialty fields in health and clinical care of the owner organizations and stakeholders.
The Biobank of Eastern Finland supports research, in particular, addressing metabolic disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders, cancer and mental health. Valvira (The National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health) has accepted Biobank of Eastern Finland into the national biobank register on 30th October 2015.
The essence of biobanking:
- Biobank collects biological human-related samples and the associated data to promote medical research and product development. Biobank samples are collected in connection with normal health care procedures and medical examinations or in the execution of medical research.
- Involvement in biobank research is voluntary and is based on consent.
- Consent can apply to both new and old samples. Old samples can be transferred to biobank following a public notification prior to the transfer.
- Sample donor has the right to know to which studies his or her sample has been assigned to.
- Samples assigned to research rarely contain any means of identification.
Samples are stored in biobank facilities for up to several decades.
