Biorepository

Since the implementation of the Human Tissue Act 2004, the provision of suitable facilities for the storage and use of human tissue have been prioritised. The Sheffield Biorepository is a joint initiative between the University of Sheffield and the STH NHS FT. A licence for the storage of human tissue for research at the the Royal Hallamshire Hospital site was granted by the Human Tissue Authority in 2006. The Designated Individual is Prof Simon Heller who is also R&D Director for STH NHS FT.

In 2009 the licence was extended to include 2 further satellite sites; one at the University Medical School and another at the Centre for Biomedical Research, Northern General Hospital. The facility is managed by Mr Kevin Corke and supported by two technicians, one of whom is part funded by the Biomedical Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Diseases. The main users of the facility - the Biorepository Manager, the Designated Individual and representatives of the STH NHS FT Research Department -  form a Management Committee. This committee has developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines to ensure that the facility is fully compliant with the Human Tissue Act.

The biorepository provides state-of-the-art equipment for the safe storage of samples. Sample storage is monitored 24 hours a day using an alarm system which can detect any changes in freezer temperature. This system is linked to an autodialler which is in turn linked to switchboard, who will contact responsible members of staff. The facility also employs a web based monitoring system (Tutela) which enables assigned staff to view freezer temperatures in real time from remote locations.

The Biomedical Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Disease is the main user of the Biorepository in terms of the number of samples stored and Unit staff have been working closely with biorepository staff to bring our sample storage into line with the HTA. A measure of the hard work that has been done by biorepository and the Unit staff is reflected in the report from a recent HTA inspection of the facility from which there were no findings to report.

For more information on the Sheffield Biorepository, please see the following link:

http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/medicine/staff-info/biorepository.html
 

Sheffield Musculoskeletal BioBank

We have received approval from Oxfordshire Research Ethics Committee C to hold a research tissue bank. The tissue bank will be known as the Sheffield Musculoskeletal BioBank (SMB). Procedures for accessing samples in the SMB have been put in place by the SMB steering committee, chaired by Mr Mark Wilkinson. The BioBank is managed by Dr Kim Naylor, who receives applications for use of samples from investigators within the Biomedical Research Unit and also external collaborators. Applications are reviewed for scientific content, feasibility and appropriateness by the steering committee. The committee includes representatives from the biorepository, the STH R&D Dept, the lay public, clinicians and the Biomedical Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Disease Management Group.

 There are several benefits to the Unit from this venture which include the ability:

1) to make full use of surplus samples from completed research studies which may otherwise have been destroyed

2) to request samples from patients attending clinics for a musculoskeletal condition which will be used for as yet unspecified research projects

3) to request that patients undergoing surgery for musculoskeletal conditions donate surplus tissue removed during surgery to research

4) to work closely with our colleagues carrying out basic research, who would otherwise be unable to access such samples and tissue to carry out their groundbreaking research.

These approaches to obtaining tissue and samples for research have the advantage of being time and cost efficient and involve little or no inconvenience to the patient. They will also allow us to test our new research ideas in a more timely manner.