Emma Lawrence

UK Biobanks now in the BBMRI-ERIC Directory

UK sample resources now in the BBMRI-ERIC Directory UKCRC Tissue Directory registered sample resources are now discover-able in the BBMRI-ERIC Directory. The UKCRC TDCC represents the UK within Biobanking and BioMolecular Resources Research Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium (BBMRI-ERIC). As part of the UKCRC TDCC’s continued commitment to prevent duplication of effort, all UKCRC Tissue Directory registered sample resources will be automatically registered in the BBMRI-ERIC Directory. The step… Read More »UK Biobanks now in the BBMRI-ERIC Directory

costs

Cost recovery in Biobanking

Cost recovery in Biobanking When patients donate samples for research they do so with goodwill as a gift to research. So why is there sometimes reference to ‘the cost of samples?’ We explain more about the use of Cost recovery in Biobanking in our latest blog. How can tissue cost money when it is donated for free? The process of getting access to a hospital, surgeon, pathologist, clinical data and… Read More »Cost recovery in Biobanking

NC3Rs Workshop: Human tissue models for cancer research

NC3Rs Workshop: Human tissue models for cancer research On 1st and 2nd of March , the UKCRC TDCC attended the NC3Rs workshop: Human tissue models for cancer research. Here, we outline the day’s events and what we learned. The first day was opened by Prof Gareth Thomas who gave a pathologists perspective, highlighting the importance of the tumour microenvironment which means research should focus on more than studying single cells.… Read More »NC3Rs Workshop: Human tissue models for cancer research

Only a minority of biobanks have a publicly available access policy

A recent study has found that only around 9% of biobanks have a publicly available access policy. Given that most biobanks are funded by the public, there is an expectation that the samples they contain are made available for external research purposes that could ultimately have a social benefit. But for this to happen, clear access policies need to govern the conditions under which samples can be used for external… Read More »Only a minority of biobanks have a publicly available access policy

Spotlight on: Gautam Mehta

Spotlight on: Gautam Mehta Job title: Honorary Consultant and Senior Lecturer, UCL Research Project: Gautam is exploring new ways to treat patients with liver failure and alcohol-related liver disease. Liver disease is the third commonest cause of preventable death in the UK and rates are rising rapidly, therefore new treatments are urgently needed. Gautam’s research involves sequencing RNA (part of the genetic code of cells) from human liver and immune cells… Read More »Spotlight on: Gautam Mehta

Biobanking expertise: Accreditation

Directory registration now a condition of REC favourable opinion

Directory registration now a condition of REC favourable opinion The UK Ethics Committee Authority (UKECA) have now made registration in the UKCRC Tissue Directory a condition of the Research Ethics Committee (REC) favorable opinion for research tissue banks (RTB). The Research Ethics Committee favour collection of tissue for future research use by research tissue banks, however, there is an expectation that this tissue is made visible to the research community.… Read More »Directory registration now a condition of REC favourable opinion

data minutes

Putting Patients First

Putting Patients First UKCRC TDCC attended Patients First on 28th November, 2016 – an event co-hosted by ABPI and AMRC. Here we outline the day’s events and what we can learn from the topics discussed. The event was opened by Aisling Burnand, AMRC, with an inspiring quote by Mary Mead, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing… Read More »Putting Patients First

Proposed changes to data security and consent in the healthcare system

Proposed changes to data security and consent in the healthcare system In September 2015, the Secretary of State for Health commissioned an intensive review of how personal data is used within the healthcare system. This called for recommendations to be made on improving data security and developing a new, clear opt-out and consent model for how a patient’s data can be used. In June the results of this review were… Read More »Proposed changes to data security and consent in the healthcare system