Research Support in Biobanking
Biobank Väst provides operational regulatory support and sample services for biobank samples, as well as advice on biobanking matters. Please contact us if you require support with the handling or storage of biobank samples, or if you need assistance in planning, collecting, or accessing biobank samples for research purposes. Biobank Väst is built on close regional collaboration between academia and healthcare providers.
Regional and national collaboration
The University of Gothenburg and Region Västra Götaland collaborate on biobanking matters through Biobank Väst, which operates as a unit within both Core Facilities at the University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital. Biobank Väst provides operational regulatory support and sample services for biobank samples, as well as advice on biobanking matters.
The joint administrative biobank, Biobank Väst, is registered with the Swedish Health and Social Care Inspectorate (IVO) under registration number 890.
Biobank Väst is also one of the nodes within Biobank Sverige, a national research infrastructure for biobanking.
Research support and advice
We can assist you with:
- Advisory services on biobanking matters
- Biobank agreements and material transfer agreements
- Sample handling
- Storage and traceability of biobank samples
- DNA extraction
- PBMC extraction
Advice and biobank agreements
The biobanks provide advice, information, and training on the Biobanking Act and the use of biobank samples.
We support researchers with applications for and the establishment of biobank agreements and Material Transfer Agreements (MTA).
We can also provide guidance on how to address biobank-related aspects in applications for ethical review, clinical trial applications, and information to participants in studies.
Registration of biobank samples at Sahlgrenska Academy
The Faculty Board of Sahlgrenska Academy has decided that all biobank samples within the faculty must be registered in Region Västra Götaland's biobank, Biobank Väst (registration no. 890 with the Swedish Health and Social Care Inspectorate, IVO).
This decision means that samples previously not registered in a biobank, as well as samples registered in a biobank at the University of Gothenburg, must be registered in Biobank Väst.
Please view our guide for retrospective registration of samples and contact Biobank Väst (rbcvast@vgregion.se) for assistance with the registration and transfer of sample collections.
Support in sample collection and processing
Biobank Väst offers services to facilitate the collection of high-quality biobank samples for research. We can assist with sample handling, storage, and processing. We can also provide information on existing sample collections, analytical platforms, sample quality, and the transport of biological materials.
Within Biobank Sverige, sample service coordinators at universities and university hospitals work to facilitate research and harmonise biobanking activities across the country. Please contact us if you require advice and support in planning, collecting, or accessing biobank samples for national studies.
Human biological samples at Sahlgrenska Academy must be registered in the Västra Götalands Biobank
According to the Swedish Biobanking Act (2023:38), human biological samples covered by the Act must be established and registered in a biobank. These samples are referred to as biobank samples.