Princess Máxima Center Biobank

After routine diagnostics, excess material is in most cases available and can be used for future research. These primary biomaterials (tissue, blood, bone marrow, etc.), derivatives thereof (DNA, RNA) as well as for instance clinical, genetic, and imaging data, are stored in the central Máxima Biobank, provided that informed consent for its use has been given. Thanks to this material, research can be conducted to improve treatments and increase the chances of survival for children.

Biobank material and data is used by scientists in their research. For example to understand how different types of childhood cancer arise, and how we can best treat them. Medical data, including questionnaires about the quality of life, are also stored in the Biobank. For example, researchers can link the biology of the tumor to how well a certain treatment works, or see which children are at higher risk of fatigue. The research with tissue and data from the Biobank can lay the foundation for improving treatment plans and the development of new medicines.

Scientists in the Máxima Center can file a request to use tissue and data for their research. Requests are always assessed by the Biobank and Data Access Committee (BDAC), an independent committee responsible for the assessment of research applications.

Scientists from external institutes focused on pediatric oncology research, may submit a research proposal in collaboration with a research group or clinical scientist of the Máxima center. Please contact one of our research groups to discuss the research proposal, or contact the Biobank for more information.