In response to the promulgation and implementation of the Human Biobank Management Act, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) carried out preparatory work to establish a human biobank (hereinafter known as “the Biobank”) in 2012, which was subsequently approved for establishment on July 15, 2013 by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Specimens stored in the Biobank include matched tumor/normal tissue specimens, sera, plasma, hematocytes, primary culture cell lines, paraffin blocks, and glass slides from healthy individuals, and patients with 32 major types of disease. Currently, researchers at CGMH can apply to use available specimens at no charge, and researchers from other institutions can file applications to use these specimens through research collaborations with physicians at CGMH, or with a referral from the National Biobank Consortium of Taiwan.
In addition to provide and management resources for research use, Biobank also provide four core services: (1) DNA/RNA purification, (2) tissue microarray construction, (3) laser capture microdissection, and (4) immunohistochemical staining. To control and manage service quality, specimen collection processes and core services have held ISO 17025 accreditation since 2011. In addition, tests of DNA and RNA specimens are conducted quarterly, and specimen collection processes are continuously improved to ensure provision of high-quality specimens to researchers.
In addition to enhancing research competitiveness of CGMH, the Biobank is compliant with national policies, and serves as a key source of specimens and clinical data for pharmaceutical and biotechnological research, and development of precision medicines in Taiwan since its inclusion in the National Biobank Consortium of Taiwan in January 2020. As of February 2021, specimen data of 4836 individuals has been collected and uploaded to the platform. It is hoped that resource sharing through the Biobank can accelerate biomedical research, precision medicine, and artificial intelligence-assisted healthcare in Taiwan, to improve public health and well-being.