Biobanks in Finland: Accomplishments and Possibilities

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Biobanks in Finland : Accomplishments and Possibilities

Press Conference 24.9.2014 – HandsOn: Biobanks 2014

Anu Jalanko

BBMRI.fi National Coordinator, Director of THL Biobank

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http://www.nationalbiobanks.fi/

• DNA samples of 200 000 Finns, mainly from population cohorts of THL

• Genome-wide analyses of 70 000 and sequencing of 16 000 Finns

• Mutations in rare diseases, genetic risk variants for common diseases and new genetic tests

• Establishment of a genetic reference database (SiSU) (Educational lecture by Samuli Ripatti)

Finnish sample collections have been widely utilized in genetic research

Biobanks in Finland / Anu Jalanko

The Finnish Biobank Legislation is Unique

• Legal process for registration of biobanks

• Wide consent and protection of the sample donors

• Transfer of existing sample and data collections to biobanks

• Collection of prospective samples and data for future research

Biobanks in Finland / Anu Jalanko

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• THL Biobank – based on population health surveys; will host majority of Finnish DNA resources

• Auria Biobank – based on old and prospective hospital samples of Southwestern Finland

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• FHRB Biobank – based on haematological malignancies

• Large regional biobanks to be established between universities and hospitals

Three Finnish biobanks have been established

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New Possibilities for Health Care

• Biobanks can collect samples and data directly from the hospital routine– Hospital Biobanks - Use of Specimens and Clinical

Information in Disease Phenotyping – Keynote lecture by Olli Carpen

• Biobank operations can be linked to personalized health care– Biobanks and Personalized Medicine: The FHRB Biobank

Concept– Keynote lecture by Kimmo Porkka

Biobanks in Finland / Anu Jalanko