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What is a biobank?

A biobank is a secure repository of biological samples, such as blood and saliva samples, from volunteer participants who have consented to donate these materials for research. Biobanks also contain genomic and other molecular data derived from these samples, as well as the participants’ medical records and data on their life experiences and environmental exposures.

Biobanks typically contain samples and data from many thousands, even millions, of individuals with and without disease, making biobanks a valuable resource for research. 

These large datasets are shared widely and securely with researchers to power studies on how biology, behavior, and environmental factors contribute to health and disease, and to speed up drug discovery. 

What have researchers learned from studying biobank data?

Here are just a few examples of what researchers have discovered or built using biobank data:

• Genetic factors contributing to many common and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders, autoimmunity, diabetes, and mental health disorders
• Potential drug targets for common diseases including cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, obesity, and more
• New genetic tests that look across the whole genome to predict the risk of prostate cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other disorders

How do Ó³»­´«Ã½ researchers build and work with biobanks?

Ó³»­´«Ã½ researchers are leaders in generating and processing genomic data for biobanks at scale, and in analyzing biobank data to accelerate research. For example, we are the genome sequencing partner of the NIH’s . We have sequenced more than 230,000 whole genomes and processed data on over 410,000 whole genomes from All of Us participants. Our scientists are also part of leadership for major biobank initiatives  and the .

We analyze data from these and other biobanks, such as the US Department of Veterans Affair’s  and , to discover the biological roots of disease. We also build partnerships between biobanks around the world through the  to power more robust studies of more diseases.