The Section of Biobank and Registry Support (BRS)

About the infrastructure

The Section of Biobank and Registry Support (BRS) provides researchers with services that create the conditions for world-class research.

The basis for the work is our region’s world-unique combination of high-quality samples and data, strong national and international networks, and the expertise developed within Umeå University and Region Västerbotten.

BRS provides support in matters related to ethical applications, study design, drawing up necessary agreements, and more. BRS coordinates access to biobank samples and data from the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study (NSHDS) as well as from a number of other sample collections and registers.

Services and support

BRS

• supports researchers in planning and conducting register- and biobank-based studies,
• provides support in matters related to ethical applications, study design, drawing up necessary agreements, and more, and
• ensures that the research material under its administration is well-maintained and continuously developed so that its potential can be utilised for the best possible research.

Each year BRS provides the necessary support so that samples from about 20 000 individuals are sent for analysis, around 30 research projects are set up, and about 50-80 scientific articles are published. The section supports research projects utilising both biobank samples and/or survey data.

BRS

• coordinates access to biobank samples and data and manages the Northern Sweden Health and Disease Study (NSHDS) database,
• constitutes the Umeå node of Biobank Sweden together with Biobanken Norr at Region Västerbotten, and
• coordinates Umeå University's participation in EPIC.

Access, contact and more information

You can find more information about the section’s services, how to access samples and data, and other support on the BRS website:

Learn more about The Section of Biobank and Registry Support