Bimetra Biobank: A High Quality Biobank Facility to Stimulate Translational Biomedical Research

Abstract

Bimetra Biobank is the central high quality biorepository of University Hospital Ghent in collaboration with Ghent University (Belgium). Fully operational since 2015 in a new state-of-the-art biobank facility, Bimetra Biobank acts as a core facility for researchers and third parties looking for high-quality annotated clinical biospecimens. Bimetra Biobank stores about 120.000 clinical samples, both historical collections and prospective collections (disease-based collections, population-based collections and basic research collections) within well-defined and ethically approved research projects. Through a clear governance structure compliant with applicable laws, collections are operationally managed by Bimetra biobank personnel and samples releases are coordinated through collection specific coordinators and advisory boards. Biobank collections are open for collaborations to the international scientific community.