HMC launches Human Tissue Biobank in collaboration with Qatar Precision Health Institute

The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has announced the launch of the Human Tissue Biobank in partnership with the Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI). This significant development builds upon the achievements of the project's initial phase, expanding the Biobank's capacity to store and manage freshly removed biological tissue for clinical care and biomedical research.

The first phase of the Biobank successfully established a regulatory and operational framework, as well as the necessary infrastructure for storing tissue specimens, adhering to quality and governance standards. This phase has already made substantial strides, with the Biobank currently housing a vast collection of paraffin blocks, tissue slides, and immunohistochemistry slides. It has also supported numerous research applications, including approved projects and those still under review.

Looking ahead, the new phase of the Biobank aims to elevate its capabilities by incorporating the storage and management of freshly resected biological tissue. This advancement will facilitate a range of advanced diagnostics, precision medicine, and biomedical and translational research. By handling freshly resected tissue through well-defined pathways for clinical and research use, the Biobank will maintain a clear distinction between these pathways, ensuring full compliance with ethical and regulatory frameworks.

Dr. Einas Al Kuwari, Chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at HMC, highlights that the new phase will enable the Biobank to support advanced molecular and genomic testing, next-generation sequencing, precision oncology programs, specialized predictive assays, and modern cellular and tissue-based diagnostic technologies.

These capabilities will contribute to more accurate treatment decisions, increased access to advanced molecular and genomic testing, and improved access to cutting-edge diagnostic solutions as part of personalized healthcare and precision medicine.

On the research side, the expanded phase will provide an advanced national platform for storing freshly resected tissue specimens for approved research projects. This will empower researchers with an advanced resource to support biomedical and translational research, while all studies will undergo ethical and regulatory review through the Medical Research Center.

The Human Tissue Biobank remains committed to the highest ethical and regulatory standards, encompassing informed consent, data privacy, specimen quality, and compliance with regulations and policies. This collaboration between HMC and QPHI will bolster Qatar's infrastructure for precision medicine and biomedical research, bolstering the nation's standing in biomedical research and personalized healthcare.