Biobank Research - For the General Public
The Department of Biobank Research creates a foundation for studying the connection between various diseases and substances in the blood, together with information from surveys collected before a disease has broken out.
The research may involve, for example, blood lipids, hormones, growth factors or metabolic byproducts from food. By comparing people who are affected by diseases with people who are not affected by them, our understanding increases regarding how these diseases develop and how they can potentially be prevented.
No individuals are compared, but all research is conducted at the group level. The identity of the persons providing the samples is not known to the researchers.
A resource for research
Using blood bank samples has resulted in a new understanding of the role of viral infections in the development of cervical cancer, the effect of hormones on the development of breast and prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Studies are being conducted both in Västerbotten as well as in widespread international cooperation.