The Centre of Experimental Medicine & Rheumatology (EMR) works in association with the Human Tissue Resource Centre (HTRC) at St Bartholomew’s Hospital to provide an HTA-approved biobank resource to support current and future research. EMR works with the HTRC to ensure full compliance with the Human Tissue Act 2004 and to enhance the research infrastructure of QMUL and the Trust.
Since registering as a biobank with the HTRC (site licence 12199), EMR has collected thousands of biological samples (tissues and bodily fluids), along with matched clinical data, to build this biobank/data resource from patients suffering from Arthritis (inflammatory/non-inflammatory), Sjogrens Syndrome and Lupus who have been recruited to various observational studies and clinical trials on-going in the department. All biological samples collected for storage and distribution for future research are anonymised, logged, tracked and monitored to ensure traceability from consent/collection to scientific output. Patient matched clinical data is entered onto our secure clinical databases to ensure full compliance with the Data Protection Act.
Our bio-resource collections are now registered as part of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC). This Partnership brings together the major stakeholders that influence clinical research in the UK. It includes the main UK research funding bodies; academia; the NHS; regulatory bodies; the bioscience, healthcare and pharmaceutical industries; and patients.