2009 © Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM
Biobanking & Biomarkers
Biobanks
Biobanks, professionally managed archives of human derived samples, are an essential asset for modern biomedical research. Some of the most important national biobanking resources are located on the Meilahti campus. The long tradition and extensive biobanking know-how of National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), the diagnostic patient samples and data of Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) and the world-class science of the University of Helsinki, combined with the systems biology and bioinformatics expertise of FIMM, make the campus the most important hub for biobanking in Finland.
FIMM has been responsible for coordinating the development of Meilahti biobanking activities. During 2009, the first concrete steps towards centralized biobanking on the campus were taken by setting up an expandable, liquid nitrogen based storage system for 335 000 samples. The facility has dedicated professional staff and detailed operating, as well as safety, procedures. Also automated sample storage systems have been considered and are still in process of being evaluated.