Central Biosample Register (DZIF-ZBR)
A comprehensive biobank structure at the DZIF supports cross-site research.
Biobanks store biological samples such as human tissue, blood and DNA. These samples and the corresponding medical data are of particular value for translational research at the DZIF. They can be used to uncover disease causes in infection research and develop new preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic methods.
In order to utilise the biological materials from the individual decentralised DZIF storage locations for research purposes, the "Biobanking" unit at the Helmholtz Zentrum München conducts the Central Biosample Register (DZIF-ZBR). The DZIF-ZBR merges the biological material data from the local systems and consolidates the data from the various sites and studies, making it a valuable data harmonisation tool. By providing the DZIF scientists an overview of the collected biological materials and associated data via individual search queries, the DZIF-ZBR thus offers an effective instrument for project planning using biological materials.
„Currently, information on 18,000 patients and 452,000 biosamples is stored in the DZIF Central Biosample Register (DZIF-ZBR). These data can be accessed by all DZIF scientists.“
- Samples and study subjects in the DZIF-ZBR
Cooperation between HEnRY Biobanking Software and the ZBR
The Central Biosample Register at the DZIF—explained in just under two minutes (only when this video is started will active content be loaded from YouTube and personal data be transferred to YouTube; more information on this can be found in our Privacy Policy).
Within the HIV research area, the open source biobanking tool HEnRY (HIV Engaged Research technologY) is being developed in the working group of Prof. Janne Vehreschild at the University Hospital Cologne. Together with the DZIF-ZBR at Helmholtz Munich, an automatic interface was created and users are now able to send their biosample data per one-click to the DZIF-ZBR. In future, all studies and biosample collections using the HEnRY biobanking software will be able to send relevant data according to the minimum data set to the ZBR via automatic interface. In this way, the study is visible in the DZIF-ZBR without further effort and the data can be used for search queries.
After the introduction of this new option at a DZIF-ZBR user meeting, African Partner Institutions downloaded the HEnRY software and used it for their biobank documentation. Users receive training and support, including a manual in French.
With the comfortable sending of data to the DZIF-ZBR, the effort is low and the output high: documentation and visibility in one step. This strengthens collaborations and fosters the research in DZIF.
Currently, biosamples and data on the following studies are available in the DZIF-ZBR:
- COVID-19 Autopsy Register (Heildeberg)
- DZIF Tissue bank (Heidelberg)
- EBV IMMUC I and II (München)
- Fever without source (Hamburg)
- HelicoPTER (H. pylori) (München)
- Hepatitis (HCV | Hannover)
- Malaria (Tübingen / Lambaréné)*
- Paediatric Transplant Study Haunersches Kinderspital (München)
- PEPSI II (Hepatitis | Köln)
- Resina (HIV | Köln)
- TBornotTB (Tuberculosis | Borstel)
- TIARA (The impact of colonization with MDRO in complex surgical patients) (Köln)*
- TP HIV (Köln)*
- Transplant cohort Tx (Hannover, Heidelberg, München, Tübingen)
NEW studies / in implementation
- mEX-TB Tuberkulose (Bonn, Borstel, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Köln)*
- TB studies African Partner Sites (Borstel)
- Tissue Collectives (Heidelberg)
- TP-HIV (München, Bonn)
*in cooperation with HEnRY
Further studies and biosample collections can be flexibly connected to the ZBR.
How to get access to the data in the ZBR:
Go to Central Biosample Register
Go to the DZIF infrastructure "Bioresources, Biodata and Digital Health"