Kazan Federal University Launches Biobank

A project aiming to store biomaterials in ultra-low temperatures using liquid nitrogen is realized in Kazan University. A critical resource for biomedical research, the biobank items will find their usage in umbilical cord blood transplantation, during reconstructive and plastic surgeries, and drug development.  

There are no more than 15 of them in Russia, yet this one is promising to be one of the most noticeable. Newly established biobank situates at Kazan University Clinic and its most biologically valuable material is going to be cord blood, rich in stem cells - cells that have the ability to transform into just about any human cell - it could someday be used as treatment if a child ever became ill with certain diseases. It might also be useful for a sick sibling or relative. Banking cord blood is a way of preserving potentially life-saving cells that usually get thrown away after birth.

Other types of biomaterials include samples of semen, joints, bones, tissue.

Malignant tumors dissected during surgeries, samples of cells and tissues affected by cancer, neurodegenerative or idiopathic diseases will be used for drug development as well as therapy improvement. KFU Biobank will allow collecting all biomaterial for advanced use of its scientists. 

“It often happens that after a research has been conducted, there is a necessity to expand and supplement it, or to look at the disease from another angle,” Albert Rizvanov, professor of the Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, describes, “However, it takes a lot of time to collect new samples, to find new patients, especially if the disease is rare. Biobank provides necessary collections of cells and other bio samples at hand; it is of great importance and value.”