Virtual Biobank

CHRISTUS Virtual Biobank offers real-time biospecimen collection, with samples collected as needed for researchers.

We can collect samples from consented patients and remnant collection under a waiver of HIPAA.

Within our ministries, we have a very diverse population of ethnic and racial backgrounds and can ensure that all populations are represented in research.

Purpose

• CHRISTUS offers its patients the opportunity to donate their valuable biospecimens to advance biomedical research within established research systems. We work together with our research partners to increase the general population’s awareness about the importance of biospecimen and data donation in advancing medical knowledge of disease detection, development, and progression. We can collect samples in clinical, hospital, and laboratory settings.
  CHRISTUS offers device validation services to sponsors for new or updated devices.
• Serve physicians and scientists via provision of access to reliable annotated biospecimens for translational and clinical research projects.
• Our Virtual Biobank brings CHRISTUS physicians and non-CHRISTUS scientists together so they can collaboratively design and lead sophisticated research initiatives.
• As part of the CHRISTUS mission, our goal is to be the resource of choice for local, national, and international researchers for biospecimen acquisition. In this way, we are helping to bring novel ways to detect diseases earlier, new pathways for treatment, and increased understanding of disease progression to our communities and globally.
• To ensure that samples are collected ethically and responsibly, CHRISTUS only collects biospecimens after IRB approval is obtained. Our biobank works closely with Central IRBs, such as Advarra and WCG, and with our own Local IRB. CHRISTUS’s compliance team routinely reviews and audits biobanking activities to verify that all samples are collected in accordance with ethical, regulatory, and institutional standards.

Salient Features

• Access to biospecimens with diverse genetic and epidemiological backgrounds
• Strict adherence to local and international ethical regulations and standards
• Guaranteed quality and collection standard compliance
• Same-day shipment services (global coverage) Shipment compliance management system by IATA-trained personnel
• Cold chain management of biospecimen, including:
  • Controlled ambient: +15˚C to +25˚C
  • Refrigerated: +2˚C to +8˚C
  • Frozen and deep-frozen: -20˚C to -80˚C
• Flexibility and adaptability to client needs
• Dedicated and professional project life-cycle management

Sponsors we have worked with

• iSpecimen
• Audubon
• Aurora
• Precision for Medicine
• DX Biospecimens
• Exact Science
• Freenome
• Qiagen
• Stago
• NCORP – National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program
• COG – Children’s Oncology Group
• UTHSCA – University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
• Baylor College of Medicine