New biobank – modern facilities ensure future research
The hospital is in the process of completing a state-of-the-art biobank facility at Vinderen. The facility will ensure the safe storage of valuable biological material. This is important for the hospital's long-term focus on research and personalized medicine. The facilities will be ready by the end of 2024.
Diakonhjemmet Hospital has built up valuable research biobanks over several decades, especially within rheumatology. The new biobank facility gives the entire hospital a long-awaited opportunity to build a sustainable and long-term solution for long-term storage of biological material on its own property.
The new premises meet today's needs and facilitate increased capacity in the years to come. In collaboration with the rheumatology clinic, outpatient clinic and research, we have realized an important project for the hospital, says Mattis Schrøder, head of the building and technical operations department.
Safe long-term storage for biological material
The new biobank in Building D at Vinderen will replace current solutions, including external storage facilities at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health (FHI). They are closing down their external storage operations, and during the fall of 2024, ultra-freezers will be moved from Myrens Verksted to the new premises at Vinderen.
Move-in process
The move-in process is led by the Clinical Trials Unit and is thoroughly planned, inform unit manager Line M Jacobsen, and Frank Bakkejord, quality advisor.
The owners of the freezers are informed of the schedule and if they have any questions, they just need to get in touch, encourages biobank coordinator Katrine Bjerkan.
The biobank of the future at Vinderen
– This is a major step for research at the hospital. The new facility is specially designed to meet the requirements of modern biobanks and is equipped with top security solutions and optimal infrastructure to ensure long-term storage of valuable biological material, says Espen A. Haavardsholm, head of research at the hospital.
He emphasizes that the biobank is for research throughout the hospital.
The premises will be able to accommodate 30-35 ultra-freezers, with temperatures of -80°C and -150°C, ensuring the right conditions for long-term storage of samples such as blood, tissue, and synovial fluid. With dedicated cooling, emergency power, access control, continuous monitoring of temperature in each freezer and reserve capacity in case of freezer failure, the recommendations from Biobank Norway are followed. They are the ones who set the national standards for biobank facilities.
Personalized medicine
The research biobanks that the hospital has developed within rheumatology have been crucial for the development of personalized medicine.
– Through REMEDY, the hospital will continue to use the biobanks actively in future research, especially to identify biomarkers and develop algorithms for predictive treatment effect, explains Espen A Haavardsholm.
Strengthened research collaboration
The high standard of the biobanks makes it possible to participate in national and international projects that strengthen the scope and quality of research. With these upgrades, the research community at the hospital can continue to collaborate with excellent communities at home and abroad.
– When the new premises are ready, it will give the research environment a long-awaited upgrade, and ensure that valuable biological material is stored in a way that preserves its quality for many years to come, emphasizes Haavardsholm.
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