Generales

By Giovanni Marulanda, Journalist at UdeA Communications Office / Omaira Bustamante Restrepo, UdeA School of Medicine Communications Office 

The recently launched UdeA-TdeA Biobank stores biological samples to advance cancer research and infectious, genetic, and metabolic diseases. With facilities at both the Alma Mater and the Tecnológico de Antioquia, the biobank operates under strict technical, technological, and bioethical standards. It invites citizens to donate and support scientific progress and public health in Colombia. 

Researchers from the Parasitology Group at the Universidad de Antioquia’s Faculty of Medicine, working in partnership with the Technological Institute of Antioquia, led the creation of the UdeA-TdeA Biobank. The initiative advances research, treatment development, and public health. “A biobank manages the collection, processing, storage, protection, and eventual transfer of biological samples and their related data,” said Carolina Hernández Castro, professor and researcher at the UdeA Faculty of Medicine. 

A biobank retains a variety of biological samples, including blood, urine, saliva, tissues, cells, DNA, and RNA. However, it will initially focus on preserving blood and its derivatives (plasma and DNA), along with human feces and fecal DNA. These samples are crucial for studying cancer, infectious, genetic, and metabolic diseases. Stool samples, in particular, offer valuable insights into the gut microbiota and digestive health. 

The principal node of the UdeA-TdeA Biobank sits at the Alma Mater School of Medicine. A second node, equipped with cutting-edge technology, occupies the Robledo campus of the Technological Institute of Antioquia. This facility ensures proper sample preservation and guarantees the security, transparency, and accuracy of the data collected from the samples. “We are currently in discussions with other research groups at UdeA to begin storing tissue samples,” said researcher Hernández Castro. 

The TdeA Biobank is financed through the General Royalty System and contributions from both institutions. 

This facility will be essential for researchers, professors, and students, offering access to high-quality samples for their analyses and studies. It will help reduce costs and shorten project timelines by eliminating the need to contact patients or donors individually. Additionally, Carolina Hernández Castro highlighted the broader societal benefits, as the data and samples provided can guide decisions that improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of diseases. 

The general public, students, faculty, and staff of the Alma Mater can contribute as donors with no specific illness or health condition required. Research groups and centers from the university, the region, and the country can also request samples from the Biobank for their projects. The scientific and ethics committee will carefully review and evaluate each request. 

“The invitation is open to all individuals and groups who wish to participate. We welcome everyone, as our aim is for the biobank to expand and become a national benchmark. It is not solely a project of the Parasitology group; it belongs to our university and, ultimately, to the country,” the professor and researcher concluded. 

A fundamental aspect of the UdeA-TdeA Biobank’s operations—collecting, storing, and utilizing samples—is the donor’s signature on the informed consent form and the scientific and ethical approval of the research projects. “The informed consent form must include a clear section in which the donor explicitly agrees to the storage of their samples under the biobank’s framework, which complies with rigorous quality and biosafety standards. What does this mean? This means that their biological samples, or any leftover material from a project, may be used in future research endeavors,” explained Professor Carolina. 

Researchers collect samples alongside a clinical-epidemiological survey, which provides insights into donors’ sociodemographic characteristics, habits, diseases, and risk or protective factors. Those interested can reach out via biobancoudea.med@udea.edu.co.