Human Biomaterials Resource Centre (Third Renewal)

• Research type

  Research Tissue Bank

• IRAS ID

  351758

• Research summary

  Human Biomaterials Resource Centre

• REC name

  North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/NW/0013

• Date of REC Opinion

  7 Mar 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion

• Data collection arrangements

  The HBRC exists to collect high quality human samples, and to process, store, and release them to biomedical researchers.

  Samples come from a wide range of disease settings. They are usually material which is waste or surplus to diagnosis, but sometimes they are collected specifically for research. They may be taken during surgery or treatment, or in clinics before and after. Samples may also come from patients in clinical trials, or they may be from healthy volunteers. Donors can be adults or children.

  The body sites involved are very wide-ranging, and they depend on the disease. HBRC collects from e.g. breast, brain, gut, womb and ovaries, head and neck, all the vital organs, blood vessels, fat, urine, saliva, spinal fluid, joint fluid, placenta, umbilical cord and cord blood. Samples are released fresh, fresh-frozen, or fixed on a microscope slide.

  The HBRC uses generic and enduring consent which covers genetic studies, research involving animals (optional), long-term growing in culture, and use by researchers locally or elsewhere in the UK or overseas. Researchers may be from universities, hospitals or public research institutions, or they may be from commercial/private companies. The HBRC does not support research intended to make human beings or end pregnancy, or that intends to put the samples back into people. Consent covers access to health records and long term outcomes, so samples can come with useful clinical data. Samples and data are always made anonymous to researchers.

• Research programme

  Samples are currently used in a wide variety of research projects to enhance existing knowledge regarding the origin, diagnosis and treatment of many diseases (including cancer). Major aims of the research supported include a greater understanding of the role of genetic alterations in diseases, the development of emerging technologies, and the application of new technologies to develop diagnostic markers, the prediction of response to new or existing therapies, or the outcome for patients. More specifically, the HBRC supports research programmes involving cancer cell biology and tumourigenesis, tumour virology, tumour immunology, cancer genetics, cardiac and vascular disease, liver disease, renal disease, adrenal function and endocrine disorders, autoimmune disease, diabetes, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, gene regulation and epigenetics, ophthalmology, stem cell biology, microbial infection and antibiotic resistance. Although the HBRC was set up as a resource for local researchers within the College of Medicine and Health, and also within local NHS Trusts, applications from other research groups and the commercial sector, both within the UK and overseas, are welcomed.

• Storage license

  12358

• RTBTitle

  Human Biomaterials Resource Centre

• Establishment organisation

  College of Medicine and Health

• Establishment organisation address

  University of Birmingham

  Edgbaston

  Birmingham

  B15 2TT