What is biobanking?

Biobanking is the process of carefully collecting and saving bodily samples from patients with the intention of using these samples for future research endeavors. 

Why is biobanking important or helpful, and why might patients want to be involved in biobanking?

Biobanking is a very low risk but highly impactful act of service to further doctor and scientists understanding of health and disease. By donating biobank samples, patients help bring doctors and scientists together to research important questions regarding the human body. Often scientists need to use non-human models to try to understand diseases that humans have, but many times the models are not applicable to actual humans or human diseases. Using human, patient samples helps researchers bridge this gap and study human diseases using human samples.

What type of samples would I be donating, are there any risks?

We collect all samples you are willing to donate. All sample collection and participation in the MAGIC biobank is considered low risk.  The most common samples we use are stool, saliva, blood samples taken at the time IVs are inserted at your scheduled procedure, and biopsies or small samples taken from the organ of interest that you are being seen for.  For example, if you have an upcoming surgery to remove some or all your colon, you can donate a small piece of the colon to the MAGIC biobank. There are lots of sample donation possibilities.

GI tissue biopsies (luminal)

Saliva

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Serum

Stool (fresh frozen or nucleic acid preserved)

GI secretions

Available upon special request:  GI mucosal brushings, orifical swabs, urine, pancreatic biopsies, liver biopsies, surgical resection/excision tissue

By participating, will any of my personal information be discoverable or sold?

No. At no time will your personal identifiable information be sold or given to another entity. 

What are the risks in participating in the MAGIC Biobank?

The main risk of participating in the MAGIC biobank is a potential breach of confidentiality. This risk is very low. The University of Utah and the MAGIC Biobank take patient and participant confidentiality extremely seriously and have numerous security measures and de-identification processes to protect all participants personal health information. Donated samples do not have any personal identification information or medical record information on them. A random number is generated and assigned to samples upon collection.

Will my participating in the biobank and donating samples affect my healthcare in any way including insurance coverage or awareness or access to medical care?

No. You will continue to receive high quality care at the University of Utah no matter your participation in the MAGIC Biobank.

Will my samples be protected for my privacy?

Yes! All samples are de-identified, meaning they do not have your name written on them. A random number is generated to identify samples and all patient health identifying information is encrypted. Only the core study team of MAGIC Biobank members collecting samples have contact with patients. 

Do I directly benefit from participating in biobanking?

No.  Donation to the MAGIC Biobank is something that will benefit your community members and other people with GI diseases as scientists and doctors work to better understand disease processes. What we currently know about medicine is only possible because of patient generosity contributing to research endeavors. We and your community thank you for your participation!