Scientific Programmes
Molecular Pathology Programme
Tumour Bank Unit
Overview Last update May/2010
Technical implementations: the Tumour Bank Unit is currently implementing new standards in biobanking in accordance with the new Spanish legal framework for the use of human tissue samples in research, the OECD Best Practices Guidelines, ISBER Best Practices Guidelines (2nd edition, ISBER, 2008) and the IARC/WHO Common Minimum Technical Standards and Protocols for Biological Resource Centres dedicated to Cancer Research (IARC, 2007). These guidelines are included within the development of a global and institutional quality management system according to ISO normatives 15189 and 9001:2000. The Central Office of the CNIO’s Tumour Bank Network has been awarded with the ISO-9001:2000 Quality Certification since 2003 (renewed in 2007).
Service Activities: as a biological resource centre, we have supported 168 requests of samples corresponding to 80 research projects throughout 2009, most of which belong to multicentre cooperative groups. The median impact factor (referred to 2008 values) of the 16 supported published projects in 2009 was 5.4 We have also provided samples and/or documental support for the CNIO’s Molecular Diagnostic Unit (2,062 cases) and the familiar cancer activities of the CNIO’s Human Cancer Genetics Programme (101 cases), and directly participated in 18 collaborative projects including 9 clinical trials.
The Tumour Bank Unit actively collaborates with the Instituto de Salud Carlos III in the development of a new legal framework for biobanking, the promotion of the upcoming Red Temática de Biobancos Hospitalarios which is coordinated by us, and the prototype activity of the BBMRI. With regards to teaching, we have also promoted and/or participated in several courses and meetings, collaborated in training activities for undergraduates specialised in health documentation, and acted in an advisory capacity for emerging biobanks in Europe and Latin America.
