How to apply for depositing specimen into CU-Med Biobank?
Please contact us to obtain the Sample Deposit Application Form.
Is sample depositor only eligible for CUHK researchers?
Currently, only CUHK researchers are eligible to act as principal investigators for depositors. Non-CUHK researchers must collaborate with CUHK researchers to initiate sample deposit applications.
What are the approval criteria of CU-Med Biobank while evaluating the research project?
Prior to or after applying for biobanking, research studies must obtain ethics approval from an ethics review board (e.g. Joint CUHK-NTEC Clinical Research Ethics Committee (CREC)). This ensures the research protocols meet ethical standards and safeguards the rights and well-being of the donors.
When evaluating a deposit application, our Executive Committee takes several criteria into consideration, including the type and quantity of samples being collected, scientific merit, the significance to CU-Med biobank and the welfare of the donors.
What is the price for depositing sample into CU-Med Biobank?
Depositing samples to us is free of charge in general. However, charges apply when requesting samples. For specific details regarding the applicable fees, please contact us to obtain the ‘Sample Request Application Form’.
How long can my sample be stored in CU-Med Biobank?
The sample storage duration in CU-Med Biobank is not limited to a specific timeframe. You will be notified in advance if any storage policy has been changed.
If my application is declined, can I appeal or resubmit?
Yes. You are welcome to make refinements to the application, and you may submit it again for reconsideration.
What is the daily sample reception schedule?
In general, we receive sample from 9:30am to 5:30pm on weekdays.
What is my responsibility as a depositor of CU-Med Biobank?
Your team is expected to complete the consenting process with donors and provide us with the valid broad consent of CU-Med Biobank. You will also need to deliver the samples and provide sample collection information and clinical information to us.
Who will hold the custodianship of the sample deposited in CU-Med Biobank?
CU-Med Biobank will hold the custodianship of all samples. In general, you will have a higher priority of retrieving the deposited samples for your study. However, the deposited samples may be requested by other researchers. Upon request, we will communicate with your team in advance. Your willingness on the decision and the way of samples sharing will be in our great concerns for the request applications. CU-Med Biobank aims to facilitate collaboration among researchers, and we will impartially facilitate sufficient communication to coordinate the requirements of both depositors and requester.
Can CU-Med Biobank help transport the sample from collection sites?
Generally, we do not provide a sample pick-up service unless there are special reasons. However, you can include your request for sample pick-up during the deposit application, and we will evaluate it on a case-by-case basis.
Are there any fees associated with requesting the samples?
A cost recovery fee applies to cover operational costs, including sample processing, storage, and retrieval. Additionally, if necessary, you will be responsible for any courier expenses.
Is there extra administration fee involved?
No extra administration fee is required.
How do I apply for sample request from CU-Med Biobank?
Please refer to sample request workflow for details.
Who has the authority to approve or reject sample requests?
CU-Med Biobank Access and Release Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving sample request applications. In certain cases, representatives from the academic research community, lay community, and government or industry may be invited for consultation if deemed necessary. The assessment and review process of request application consider a range of criteria, which include but are not limited to the scientific merit of the study, social values, and patient welfare.
If I cannot find the samples I need, is it possible to propose to CU-Med Biobank to collect the samples of my interest?
Yes. You can inform us of your preferences and specific requirements regarding sample types and disease types. This will assist us in prioritizing the collection of relevant samples in the future. For further details, please refer to the Sample Request Survey.
Do I require an ethical approval when retrieving the samples?
Yes, it is mandatory to obtain ethical approval before retrieving the samples. However, you can submit the request to us prior to obtaining the ethical approval, your application may be possible to receive a conditional acceptance. Importantly, please note that the samples can only be retrieved after providing us with the ethics approval letter.
Is it necessary to submit a material transfer agreement (MTA) form when retrieving the samples?
The submission of a material transfer agreement form is ONLY required when the samples are being retrieved by non-CUHK researchers.
Is it necessary to include CU-Med Biobank as an author in publications?
No, CU-Med Biobank is generally not included as an author in publications. However, acknowledgment of CU-Med Biobank in your publication is required. You must notify CU-Med Biobank and provide copies of the publication within one month of the publication date. For more detailed information, please contact us to obtain the Sample Request Application Form. In exceptional cases where a research collaboration is established, the biobank may request co-authorship for the publication.
Is it permissible to contact the subjects of the samples that I have identified as scientifically valuable, and for which a more extensive study is required?
Yes, it is possible to contact the subjects. During the consenting process, donors of CU-Med Biobank are asked to indicate their willingness to be recontacted for future studies involving their stored samples. If the donors have agreed to be recontacted, we can facilitate the communication. However, it is important to note that the follow-up study still requires the donors’ consent at the time of contact. Additionally, it is essential for your team to ensure that the recruitment of donors in this manner is approved by your project’s ethics review board.
What is a Biobank?
A Biobank is a collection of human biological materials and their associated clinical data. Biobank acquires, processes, stores, and distributes biological samples for various research groups, in order to bring a better understanding in different human related diseases.
Is CU-Med Biobank ethically approved?
Yes. We have obtained ethics approval from Joint CUHK-NTEC CREC to ensure the welfare of donors are well protected.
What is the purpose of biobanking my sample?
The aim of biobanking is to share sample resources among research groups in order to improve our understanding in different diseases, as well as developing better treatments for various conditions.
What are clinical studies?
Clinical studies are research projects involving human volunteers or donors who participate to study scientific questions related to human health. The major aim of clinical studies is to improve the understanding of different disease, and to develop new treatments and medications for various conditions that may directly benefit the patients.
Why should I participate?
By participating in the project, you can contribute to the advancement of medical research. The breakthroughs accomplished through medical research in disease prevention and treatment will ultimately benefit our society.
Will I be charged to participate in the project?
No, you will not be asked to pay any cost related to this research.
Will I be benefited in this project?
You will not receive direct benefit from your participation in biobanking your sample. However, your participation can help to prevent, detect, and treat health problems.
I would like to withdraw from the project, what should I do?
You have the absolute right to withdraw from the project at any time without any reason. To initiate the withdrawal process, you can submit the withdrawal form to us through various channels, including in-person, mail, email, or fax. Alternatively, you can contact us at 26285221 to withdraw over the phone.
Who will be allowed to access my personal information?
Only authorised biobank staff can access your personal information. Access from other parties is restricted unless required by law.
Who will be allowed to access my health information?
Only authorized biobank staff members and approved researchers are permitted to access your health information. Access from other parties is restricted unless required by law. When releasing information to other researchers, all identifiable information will be removed.
Will my samples be used to make profit?
CU-Med Biobank is a non-profit unit in CUHK. The revenue generated from sample release is used solely to cover the operating costs associated with sample handling.
Can non-CUHK researchers retrieve my sample deposited in CU-Med Biobank?
Your sample and health information may be shared with non-CUHK or non-local researchers. This promotes the broadest utilization of resources and contributes to improving the well-being of individuals worldwide. The release of samples undergoes a rigorous review process by the Access and Release Committee, and the requested projects have been approved by the local ethics review board. This will ensure your welfare is well protected.
Am I able to receive any test result of research done using my samples?
You will not receive any test result from any research using your samples. Test result from the research studies usually only lead to a better understanding in the pathology of a particular disease. They will not be directly relevant to your health. However, in rare cases, research result may sometimes discover something that is directly useful to your health and medication. If this happens, CU-Med Biobank or the researchers may contact you for further discussion.
How is my privacy being protected?
Your privacy is one of the utmost priorities at CU-Med Biobank. We exert our best efforts to safeguard your data from any breaches. All your personal and health information is legally protected in Hong Kong. Additionally, before sharing information with other researchers, all identifiable details are removed beforehand.
