How long can samples be stored in a biobank? Does one pay to store the samples or to use them? Who can access them? And how do geopolitics impact such facilities? Geneticist Alessandro De Grandi, head of the Eurac Research biobank has the answers.

The most obvious answer is to preserve biological samples, but there’s much more to it than that. 

So, what’s a biobank actually for?

Many healthy people carry genetic mutations that could increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, however in all likelihood they will never develop it. A study by Eurac Research has examined healthy mutation carriers and, for the first time, used cell models to identify the so-called “molecular markers” that play an important role in detecting molecular dysfunction in the early stages of Parkinson's disease, and in the search for protective factors.

For the first time, markers have been identified at the cellular level that indicate mitochondrial defects even in the absence of physical symptoms

Parkinson’s research: new approaches for early detection

Ryosuke Fujii investigates the associations between various kidney traits and genetic predispositions and how they affect the risk of cardiovascular disease. His latest research on the subject was recently published in the journal PLOS ONE. 

A look at kidney function biomarkers and associated cardiovascular risk with Epidemiologist Ryosuke Fujii

 Filtering data on kidney function

An epidemiological analysis reveals the correlation between certain innate personality traits and pain sensitivity – the study has revealed optimistic people are less sensitive. Researchers are not only interested in the result but more importantly, how they got there by studying a general population sample with no overt problems.

How affective temperaments affect pain perception

Optimists suffer less

We are at the peak of the curve: technology allows us to collect unimaginable amounts of data, but perhaps it is time to change course a little. Insight and focus are the new watchwords of Peter Pramstaller and Roberto Monsorno. The first one has seen a small team of geneticists grow into a team with dozens of different profiles ranging from molecular biology to statistics via bioethics, the latter leads a pioneering team of engineers and developers skilled in programming sensors and fulfilling the most unexpected wishes of research groups and companies.

Conversations between disciplines: interview with neurologist Peter Pramstaller and electronic engineer Roberto Monsorno. 

"The biggest challenge is the overabundance of information" 

Data from the CHRIS population study provides the basis for understanding what makes some people resistant to hypertension therapies. The HyperProfile study research team uses biomarkers to measure the effectiveness of certain drugs on one of the biological processes that regulate blood pressure. The next step will be to cross-reference this data with genetic data.   

A CHRIS health study spinoff investigates the effectiveness of hypertension medications

The right pills

Eurac Research and Human Technopole have recently signed a three-year collaboration agreement. Once formalities were completed, researchers were already at work, collaborating side-by-side to enrich the CHRIS population study biobank and contribute to the future of medicine: investigating human biology to understand what happens before diseases occur.

Synergy between Eurac Research and Human Technopole of Milan gives new life to health research in Italy

"Shifting focus from disease to human health"

Software development for data processing in science has become so highly complex that it can only be mastered through the transparent teamwork of experts across borders and institutions. Johannes Rainer, a bioinformatician at the Institute of Biomedicine, takes up the mantle for/ shares his thoughts on the relevance of Open Science in his interview. His efforts in the field, earnt him the [Open Research Award 2021](https://www.eurac.edu/en/research-support/open-science/open-research/open-research-award).

Interview with Johannes Rainer, bioinformatics expert

Among like-minded people 

Ten years ago the unique Italian population study was initiated. Now CHRIS is entering its second phase, with 13,000 people taking part.

A new chapter for the CHRIS health study in Vinschgau/Val Venosta. 

Pioneering biomedical research in South Tyrol 

In March 2020, thousands of scientists around the world joined forces to investigate the questions at the forefront of the medical debate on the pandemic: what genetic factors influence the severity of Covid-19 infections and why do some people develop a serious illness that requires hospitalisation while others have mild or no symptoms? 

Bolzano research centre among institutions involved in a study to reveal human genome locations associated with Covid-19 severity


Covid-19: links between genes and disease severity

La quotidianità in corsia è fatta di esami e interventi chirurgici i cui dati arricchiscono le statistiche per la ricerca. Il futuro della medicina si costruisce in laboratorio, grazie alle cellule staminali e agli studi epidemiologici. Quanto sappiamo oggi sulle aritmie? Come si curano? A che punto è la ricerca? Lo raccontano un cardiologo e una ricercatrice.  

Per curarle, ricerca e clinica lavorano insieme

Aritmie

Dalle analisi dei questionari e dei test svolti dai 4000 partecipanti a CHRIS Covid-19 continuano a emergere indicazioni preziose: i dati permettono infatti di delineare la diffusione del virus in alta Venosta, sono di supporto all’Azienda Sanitaria per monitorare la situazione contingente e sono la base per ricerche più specifiche sulla risposta immunitaria, sul legame tra geni e malattia e sulle sue conseguenze di lungo periodo. CHRIS Covid-19 è un approfondimento dello studio epidemiologico CHRIS che si svolge in Venosta da oltre dieci anni.

Prosegue il reclutamento dei partecipanti per ampliare la base di dati per la ricerca scientifica

Studio CHRIS Covid-19 in Venosta: in autunno contagiate quattro persone su cento


Lo studio di Eurac Research e Azienda Sanitaria stima un’incidenza dell’uno per cento in valle.

Covid-19 in Venosta: incidenza maggiore di quanto rilevato in primavera

Lo studio, condotto in collaborazione con l’Azienda Sanitaria dell’Alto Adige, serve per verificare l’effettiva diffusione del virus SARS-CoV-2 in Val Venosta e per indagare come funziona la trasmissione della malattia, quanto duri l’immunità e se ci siano conseguenze di lungo periodo.

L'epidemiologo Cristian Pattaro racconta lo studio CHRIS Covid-19

"Sosteniamo sindaci e medici di base nella ripartenza"

In the most comprehensive and detailed study of kidney genetics so far, an international research consortium led by Eurac Research and the University of Freiburg, analysed the genetic makeup of over one million people. The scientists identified 147 gene regions which influence kidney function and for many of these regions they have isolated the specific gene involved. This study has helped to elucidate the mechanisms that control renal function enabling the assessment of risk factors that result in hereditary chronic renal failure.

An international research consortium led by Eurac Research has identified 147 gene regions, that affect Kidney function

 Kidney failure: study discovers a variety of new risk genes

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CHRISall tags

article

article

So, what’s a biobank actually for?self.__wrap_b(":Rija3aejlm:",1)

The most obvious answer is to preserve biological samples, but there’s much more to it than that.self.__wrap_b(":Rjja3aejlm:",1)

article

article

Parkinson’s research: new approaches for early detectionself.__wrap_b(":Rija5aejlm:",1)

For the first time, markers have been identified at the cellular level that indicate mitochondrial defects even in the absence of physical symptomsself.__wrap_b(":Rjja5aejlm:",1)

article

article

Filtering data on kidney functionself.__wrap_b(":Rija7aejlm:",1)

A look at kidney function biomarkers and associated cardiovascular risk with Epidemiologist Ryosuke Fujiiself.__wrap_b(":Rjja7aejlm:",1)

article

article

Optimists suffer lessself.__wrap_b(":Rija9aejlm:",1)

How affective temperaments affect pain perceptionself.__wrap_b(":Rjja9aejlm:",1)

interview

interview

"The biggest challenge is the overabundance of information"self.__wrap_b(":Rijabaejlm:",1)

Conversations between disciplines: interview with neurologist Peter Pramstaller and electronic engineer Roberto Monsorno.self.__wrap_b(":Rjjabaejlm:",1)

article

article

The right pillsself.__wrap_b(":Rijadaejlm:",1)

A CHRIS health study spinoff investigates the effectiveness of hypertension medicationsself.__wrap_b(":Rjjadaejlm:",1)

article

article

"Shifting focus from disease to human health"self.__wrap_b(":Rijafaejlm:",1)

Synergy between Eurac Research and Human Technopole of Milan gives new life to health research in Italyself.__wrap_b(":Rjjafaejlm:",1)

interview

interview

Among like-minded peopleself.__wrap_b(":Rijahaejlm:",1)

Interview with Johannes Rainer, bioinformatics expertself.__wrap_b(":Rjjahaejlm:",1)

article

article

Pioneering biomedical research in South Tyrolself.__wrap_b(":Rijajaejlm:",1)

A new chapter for the CHRIS health study in Vinschgau/Val Venosta.self.__wrap_b(":Rjjajaejlm:",1)

article

article

Covid-19: links between genes and disease severityself.__wrap_b(":Rijalaejlm:",1)

Bolzano research centre among institutions involved in a study to reveal human genome locations associated with Covid-19 severityself.__wrap_b(":Rjjalaejlm:",1)

dossier

dossier

Aritmieself.__wrap_b(":Rijanaejlm:",1)

Per curarle, ricerca e clinica lavorano insiemeself.__wrap_b(":Rjjanaejlm:",1)

news

Studio CHRIS Covid-19 in Venosta: in autunno contagiate quattro persone su centoself.__wrap_b(":Rijapaejlm:",1)

Prosegue il reclutamento dei partecipanti per ampliare la base di dati per la ricerca scientificaself.__wrap_b(":Rjjapaejlm:",1)

article

article

Covid-19 in Venosta: incidenza maggiore di quanto rilevato in primaveraself.__wrap_b(":Rijaraejlm:",1)

Lo studio di Eurac Research e Azienda Sanitaria stima un’incidenza dell’uno per cento in valle.self.__wrap_b(":Rjjaraejlm:",1)

interview

interview

"Sosteniamo sindaci e medici di base nella ripartenza"self.__wrap_b(":Rijataejlm:",1)

L'epidemiologo Cristian Pattaro racconta lo studio CHRIS Covid-19self.__wrap_b(":Rjjataejlm:",1)

article

article

Kidney failure: study discovers a variety of new risk genesself.__wrap_b(":Rijavaejlm:",1)

An international research consortium led by Eurac Research has identified 147 gene regions, that affect Kidney functionself.__wrap_b(":Rjjavaejlm:",1)

CHRIS
all tags

So, what’s a biobank actually for?

The most obvious answer is to preserve biological samples, but there’s much more to it than that.

Parkinson’s research: new approaches for early detection

For the first time, markers have been identified at the cellular level that indicate mitochondrial defects even in the absence of physical symptoms

Filtering data on kidney function

A look at kidney function biomarkers and associated cardiovascular risk with Epidemiologist Ryosuke Fujii

Optimists suffer less

How affective temperaments affect pain perception

"The biggest challenge is the overabundance of information"

Conversations between disciplines: interview with neurologist Peter Pramstaller and electronic engineer Roberto Monsorno.

The right pills

A CHRIS health study spinoff investigates the effectiveness of hypertension medications

"Shifting focus from disease to human health"

Synergy between Eurac Research and Human Technopole of Milan gives new life to health research in Italy

Among like-minded people

Interview with Johannes Rainer, bioinformatics expert

Pioneering biomedical research in South Tyrol

A new chapter for the CHRIS health study in Vinschgau/Val Venosta.

Covid-19: links between genes and disease severity

Bolzano research centre among institutions involved in a study to reveal human genome locations associated with Covid-19 severity

Aritmie

Per curarle, ricerca e clinica lavorano insieme

Studio CHRIS Covid-19 in Venosta: in autunno contagiate quattro persone su cento

Prosegue il reclutamento dei partecipanti per ampliare la base di dati per la ricerca scientifica

Covid-19 in Venosta: incidenza maggiore di quanto rilevato in primavera

Lo studio di Eurac Research e Azienda Sanitaria stima un’incidenza dell’uno per cento in valle.

"Sosteniamo sindaci e medici di base nella ripartenza"

L'epidemiologo Cristian Pattaro racconta lo studio CHRIS Covid-19

Kidney failure: study discovers a variety of new risk genes

An international research consortium led by Eurac Research has identified 147 gene regions, that affect Kidney function