TBRI Biobank

To be an accredited national and international biobank that will provide standardized collection, processing, and storage of biospecimens from adult patients with liver diseases to be used for biomedical research directed towards advancing precision medicine.

TBRI biobank facilitates the collection, processing, and storage of biospecimens from adult patients with liver diseases to be used in biomedical research, collaborative research activities, and the establishment of a community of practice focused on biobanking biological samples.

• Storing plasma, serum, buffy coat, RNA, and DNA samples from patients having liver diseases.
• Enabling the researchers to analyze detailed clinical data and information.
• Discovering noninvasive biomarkers that can contribute to the detection of liver disorders.
• Connecting with other biobanks and biobank initiatives.

Professor Mona Kamel Zoheiry, Professor of Immunology, Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute.

TBRI biobank keeps serum, plasma, buffy coat, RNA, DNA, and tissue samples from adult patients with liver diseases, including viral infections, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune hepatitis, metabolic diseases, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In Egypt, the burden of liver disease is exceptionally high, having the highest prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as rising rates of HCC. Although an important therapeutic advancement was achieved with the recent discovery of potent direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) against HCV, many infected patients still suffer from its dangerous complications.
The biobank enables the researchers to analyze detailed clinical information for retrospective and prospective studies and discover the noninvasive molecular and epigenetic biomarkers that contribute to the detection of liver disorders. In addition, this biobank can be a good chance for interconnectivity with other biobanks and biobank initiatives. This connection will lead to the collection of a large pool of samples for the research community. Eventually, it will advance biotechnology and scientific and medical research in hepatology. Finally, TBRI biobank will participate in the improvement of both public health and individual hepatic patient care.

The TBRI Biobank consists of 3 rooms:

• Biobank data collection and analysis unit (6X4 m²) – TBRI Laboratories Building- Third Floor
• Biobank office, sample processing, and storage unit (6X4 m²) – TBRI Laboratories Building- Third Floor
• Storage Units (3X4 m²) – TBRI Laboratories Building- Ground Floor

The TBRI biobank consists of two different parts:

• The biological materials collected, processed, and stored long-time, such as blood, plasma, serum, DNA, RNA, and tissue. Sample procurement is carried out by a team of highly trained technicians who directly participate in performing sample collection from the surgery theater and in detailed data recording.
• The database contains clinical and epidemiologic information about patients. With the data gathered from this database, the investigators could further demonstrate the etiology, risk factors, clinical treatment, and other aspects of the complication of the disease.

• Theodor Bilharz Research Institute Biobank was established for collecting, processing, storing, and distributing high-quality, clinically annotated bio-specimens from consented patients with liver diseases.
• Storing serum, plasma, buffy coat, RNA, DNA, and tissue samples from patients with liver diseases.
• Enabling the researchers to analyze detailed clinical information for retrospective and prospective studies and to discover the noninvasive molecular and epigenetic biomarkers that contribute to the detection of liver disorders. The collected samples from the biobank have many advantages over those collected by the researchers’ e g., time-saving, giving a chance to collect a large pool of samples for studies, and allowing harmonization of the quality control system.
• Discovering the noninvasive molecular and epigenetic biomarkers that contribute to the detection of liver disorders through the bioinformatics studies on the collected data.
• The biobank stored biological material and data can be used for the identification on site of the related novel biomarkers and to sub-classify or divide the patients into sub-groups.
• Interconnectivity with other biobanks for exchanging samples and data to provide a larger pool of samples for studies (Especially for rare diseases studies).
• TBRI biobank serves as a center of excellence for best practice and training by being a valuable center of excellence.
• TBRI will become a partner in the Biobank and Cohort Building Network (BCNet). BCNet will facilitate sharing resources (e.g., expertise, protocols) and developing joint projects, strengthening the competitiveness of Low- and middle-income countries’ biobanks in applying for international funding.

1. One conference, two workshops, and regular seminars and lectures will be organized to raise awareness about the biobank and enhance coordinated action.
2. Date and information about these activities will be announced on this website, so please stay tuned with us

1. The 1st scientific meeting, 5th July 2022

For more information, please contact:

Professor Mona Kamel Zoheiry

HEAD OF THE BIOBANK
mzoheiry@yahoo.com

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute
1 Nile Corniche, Warrak Al Haddar, Embaba 12411 Giza, Egypt.
Phone: +202-35407714/276/ Fax: +202-35408125