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Eastman Dental Institute

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UCL Eastman Biobank

The UCL Eastman Biobank has been set up in order to make it easier to use redundant tissue for research and support Human Tissue Act standards for storage and disposal of relevant tissues and body fluids. Our hope is that this resource will ultimately lead to a better understanding of oral disease and the development of more effective therapies.

What is the UCL Eastman Biobank?

The Biobank is a collection of human material including saliva, plaque, teeth and other normal and diseased tissue from patients attending the Eastman Dental Hospital. Samples from the Biobank are used in ethically approved research.

Why have we set up the Biobank?

The purpose of the Biobank is to have tissue available, now and in the future, for research projects investigating oral and human disease and the normal functioning of the human body. The Biobank will primarily be for the use of scientists conducting research at UCL Eastman Dental Institute, however potentially it could be used by other scientists working within the UK, in the public or the private sector.

Only projects that fall under the described remit of the Biobank will be approved. Research will add to our overall understanding of human dental disease and the normal functioning of the mouth and human body. It may help us to design new ways to diagnose and treat dental disease.

What is involved for patients who take part?

Patients don’t have to take part and this will not affect their treatment in any way. If they do decide to take part they will be asked to sign a consent form. We will then be able to store excess tissue left over after treatment that is not otherwise needed. We may also ask to collect saliva or plaque specimens. There are no advantages (or disadvantages) to participating but it may help others in the future. Donated tissue is considered to be a 'gift' to the Biobank.

Who is organising and funding the Biobank?

The Biobank is overseen by the Research & Development Unit of UCL and UCLH. The cost of operating the Biobank is funded by UCL Eastman Dental Institute.

The UCL Eastman Biobank has been given a favourable ethics opinion for conduct in the NHS by the NRES Committee Yorkshire and the Humber - Leeds East.

How can I find out more?

Download the UCL Eastman Biobank Management Protocol. This document contains detailed information on how the Biobank will be run.  It defines a management, operational, and ethical framework for the UCL Eastman Biobank and the scope and content of potential future research using the Biobank.

You can also e-mail eastmanbiobank@ucl.ac.uk with any questions.

Information and forms for investigators

Patients who decide to donate redundant tissue will be asked to sign a consent form. You will then be able to store this redundant tissue in the Biobank. Donated tissue belongs to the Biobank, NOT the investigator collecting the tissue.

I have collected some donated tissue – what do I do now?

The donated tissue needs to be recorded on our database and then it can be stored appropriately. We will need a copy of the consent form (see below) and some basic information related to the donation – patient date of birth, type of tissue, reason for removal and any other information that might be relevant. Remember – donated tissue is anonymised once it is added to the Biobank. If you cannot supply a copy of the consent form, the Biobank cannot accept this tissue. Donated tissue should be given to the Biobank coordinator, Jacopo

Withdrawing samples

Investigators wishing to use Biobank tissue samples need to apply to the Biobank ethical review committee with applications typically taking 2-3 weeks from start to completion. Applicants will need to submit Microsoft Office document icon Withdrawing a sample form and a protocol.

Documents



Information sheets






Consent forms






Withdrawal of consent





Approval and acknowledgements

The Biobank has received favourable opinion from the Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee.


Thank you to the people and organisations listed below who have helped support the Biobank:

Pratik Patel, SmileDent, London
Ankeet Haria, Dentist and Osteopath on the hill, London
North Central London Research Consortium

Approved studies