THE MALTA
BIOBANK
&
THE MALTESE
GENOME PROJECT
BIOBANKS
What is a biobank?
“ a collection of biological material (blood, DNA,
cells, tissues e.g. muscle) and associated data and
information stored in an organised system”
(OECD)
Examples of biobanks:
Malta
BioBank
WHY DO WE NEED BIOBANKS
4Ps:
play an invaluable role in
healthcare
provide resources required to carry
out research and development
promote gene discovery research in
many complex diseases
improve personalisation of care
THE MALTA BIOBANK
Malta’s first national archive of blood
and DNA samples
THE BIOBANKING FACILITY
BIOBANK NETWORKS
BBMRI-MT
THE MALTESE GENOME PROJECT
A
new project to further expand the
Malta BioBank and search for genes
responsible for causing diseases in the
Maltese population
 A new collection of 4200 biological
samples
and
associated
health
information (1% of the population)
 Different ages & gender
 Families
THE NEW COLLECTION
4200 samples (different ages & gender)
 1 newborn sample + family (30-40members)
 ~100 families
 Informed Consent Form
 Questionnaire
 Clinical exam
 Collection of samples (blood & urine)
 Clinical tests
 Genetic tests

PROCEDURE





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Give consent to take part by signing an informed
consent form
Answer some health and lifestyle questions
(questionnaire) with the help of a trained interviewer
Undertake a clinical check up by a medical or nursing
graduate: anthropometric measurements, blood
pressure monitoring, electrocardiogram (ECG)
Sample collection: blood (<10ml), urine (30ml)
Clinical tests: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Blood
profile, Lipid profile (blood cholesterol), biochemical
analysis of urine, genetic mutation analysis
Time: approx. 1hour
SAMPLES AND DATA
Samples and data stored separately
 Samples – stored for 10 years
 Partially anonymised by coding for research
 Data custodian: Prof Alex Felice – link to code
 In his absence, delegate Joanna Vella
 Identifiable collection:
1) should consent be required for additional tests
2) if consent was given to disclose results to family
doctor or back to participant
3) to destroy samples if withdraw from study
4) to avoid listing the same individual under different
codes

RISKS?
Blood: can cause some
bruising/bleeding/discomfort at the injection site
when drawing blood
 Genetic analysis – may identify genes that cause
diseases. This may have implications for
health/life insurance/jobs
 Insurance companies will only be able to access
medical records if consent is given by the
participant
 Genetic data will not be placed in the
participant’s medical records to protect the
privacy of the participant

RESULTS & INFORMATION
 Results
will be sent to the family doctor if
consent was given to do so
 A participant group or association will be
setup
 Meetings
will be held to update
participants about the progress of the
research
 Malta BioBank website:
www.um.edu.mt/biobank
 Malta BioBank: 23403048 Mon-Fri 9-5
OUTCOMES
Understand
diseases specific
to the Maltese population
Discover new therapies
Improve prevention
Better diagnosis
Cure disease