Obesity Research Biobank Syndicate (ORBiS) - Version 1

• Research type

  Research Tissue Bank

• IRAS ID

  227660

• Research summary

  Obesity Research Biobank Syndicate (ORBiS)

• REC name

  East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  17/EE/0354

• Date of REC Opinion

  26 Sep 2017

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion

• Data collection arrangements

  Obesity presents a global health threat with 3.4 million preventable deaths annually. Widely recognised as a chronic disease, it reduces life expectancy and increases risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, infertility and cancer. Bariatric surgery produces substantial, long-term weight loss, reducing morbidity and mortality. Genetics can strongly influence this response, as well as the initial propensity to obesity. Several genes have been implicated but more in-depth mechanistic studies are needed to understand how genes affect energy regulation and mediate effects of bariatric surgery.

  The Obesity Research Biobank Syndicate (ORBiS) aims to fulfil this need. It will provide a comprehensive collection of high-quality biological samples and patient data to help mechanistic research translate into tangible treatments for patients.

  Patients undergoing bariatric surgery will be recruited from multiple centres in the UK. With informed consent, blood or saliva samples will be collected pre-operatively and tissue collected during surgery. Samples include: adipose tissue (subcutaneous and visceral), muscle, liver, stomach and small intestine. Relevant clinical and demographic data will be linked and stored psuedoanonymised in a secure database. Tissue collections will be transported to and processed at ORBiS laboratory, University College London, and stored at UCL-RFH Biobank for future use.

• Research programme

  ORBiS biosamples will support research related to the study of obesity, its associated medical conditions, or treatments for these. The latter may include non-surgical therapies (diet, exercise, medicines) and bariatric surgery. Such research studies may be of a basic science, translational or clinical nature. In particular, genome sequencing, proteomic and cellular analyses may be carried out on the samples collected. This is fundamental to developing personalised prevention or treatment strategies for patients with obesity and optimising their outcomes from bariatric surgery. Research programmes supported may be within and beyond the contributing sites. External researchers will be required to obtain individual REC approval prior to submitting an application.

• Storage license

  11016

• RTBTitle

  Obesity Research Biobank Syndicate (ORBiS)

• Establishment organisation

  Centre for Obesity Research, Division of Medicine, University College London

• Establishment organisation address

  Rayne Building, 5 University Street

  London

  WC1E 6JF