The UCT Biobank was founded in 2009 to merge the previously independently organized biobanks from every tumor-specific clinic. The aim was to centralize and harmonize the collection, storage and allocation of oncology-related biomaterial. The UCT Biobank was positively evaluated from the local ethical committee (reference 4/09; extended vote 2015) and is part of the iBDF since 2011.

Since 2013 all collected samples are managed using a central software tool (CentraXX), where biomaterial is directly linked to pseudonymous clinical data of the patients. Biomaterial and clinical data will only be allocated for scientific projects, when a project proposal is approved by the scientific board and the ethical committee. 

Due to logistic reasons, the UCT Biobank collects samples at four different sites:

• Institute of pathology (collection of solid tumor samples)
• Institute of neuropathology (collection of tumor of the central nervous system)
• Medical clinic II, department of hematology (collection of immune cells from blood and bone marrow samples)
• Department of oncology at the Krankenhaus Nordwest (collection of all oncological samples at the KHNW)

All involved partners are certified according to DIN ISO 9001:2008 and are working with harmonized and centrally managed SOPs.

The UCT and therefore the UCT Biobank is a member in the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), where the German-wide cooperation of biobanks with an oncological focus is being advanced.

To gain access to biomaterial and clinical data from the UCT Biobank for basic and translational research, interested investigators have to submit a project proposal. There, detailed information on scientific purpose, specification of needed biomaterial and clinical data are needed. The proposals are then evaluated at the scientific board and the local ethical committee. Approval of both boards is a prerequisite for allocation and use of biomaterial and clinical data.

The scientific board was established in 2014 as a central committee for project approval within the UCT. It is chaired by the scientific director of the UCT during its quarterly meetings and is composed of representatives of each tumor-specific clinic, the heads of the UCT Biobank (pathology, neuropathology, and hematology), the biobank project management and the UCT director. Here, the project proposals are evaluated regarding quality, feasibility, scientific relevance, material demand and availability, as well as potential for third party funding. In the case of competing projects the scientific board will prioritize.

The project management of the UCT Biobank functions as the central contact for scientists with questions regarding project submission, during the approval process or afterwards to gain access to biomaterial and clinical data. Progress of scientific projects will be tracked and documented annually by the project management as well. 

Online submission of project proposals

To simplify submission and tracking of project proposals, we developed the software tool APProVe. Here, interested investigators can apply for samples and/or clinical data online and will see the current status of all their UCT projects.

To get your own login credentials, please get in contact with the project management team of the UCT Biobank.

Get an APProVe account

To submit new project proposals or get an overview of all your current UCT Biobank projects, please login to APProVe:

Submit project proposal now

To help you prepare your project proposal submission, you may use this form:

Project Proposal Preparation