Linking pre-existing biorepositories for medical research: the PopGen 2.0 Network

Lieb W, Jacobs G, Wolf A, Richter G, Gaede KI, Schwarz J, Arnold N, Boehm R, Buyx A, Cascorbi I, Franke A, Glinicke C, Held-Feindt J, Junker R, Kalthoff H, Kramer HH, Leypoldt F, Maass N, Maetzler W, May S, Mehdorn HM, Roecken C, Schafmayer C, Schrappe M, Schreiber S, Sebens S, Stephani U, Synowitz M, Weimer J, Zabel P, Noethlings U, Roeder C, Krawczak M (2019)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2019

Journal

Journal of community genetics Springer Verlag

Book Volume: 10

Pages Range: 523-530

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1007/s12687-019-00417-8

Abstract

The significance of human biorepositories for modern medical research, particularly for comprehensive population-based genetic analyses, is constantly growing. While large and centralized institutions are usually considered best suited to meet the increasing demand for high-quality “biobanks,” most medical research institutions still host rather heterogeneous and fragmented biobanking activities, undertaken by clinical departments with oftentimes rather different scientific scope. Undoubtedly, most clinicians and medical researchers would appreciate infrastructural support in terms of the storage and handling of their biosamples, but they are also likely to expect access to their samples avoiding extensive formal requirements. We report on the establishment of the PopGen 2.0 Network (P2N), an overarching alliance of initially seven biobanks from Northern Germany which adopted a joint but lean governance structure and use-and-access policy for their samples and data. In addition, the members of P2N have pursued an intense collaboration on ethical, legal and social issues and maintain a common IT infrastructure. The implementation of P2N has substantially improved the prospects of biobank-based research at the participating institutions. The network may thus serve as a role model for similar initiatives geared at linking pre-existing biorepositories for the benefit of research quality, efficiency, and transparency.

Involved external institutions

Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel DE Germany (DE) Forschungszentrum Borstel - Leibniz-Zentrum für Medizin und Biowissenschaften / Research Center Borstel - Leibniz-Center for Medicine and Biosciences DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH) DE Germany (DE) Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Lieb, W., Jacobs, G., Wolf, A., Richter, G., Gaede, K.I., Schwarz, J.,... Krawczak, M. (2019). Linking pre-existing biorepositories for medical research: the PopGen 2.0 Network. Journal of community genetics, 10(4), 523-530. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12687-019-00417-8

MLA:

Lieb, Wolfgang, et al. "Linking pre-existing biorepositories for medical research: the PopGen 2.0 Network." Journal of community genetics 10.4 (2019): 523-530.

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