Inspiring Health
Transforming Care

CONCERT Biobank

Part of the Centre for Oncology Education Research Translation (CONCERT), the CONCERT Biobank at the Ingham Institute is a research and tissue collection facility focused on the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

The CONCERT Biobank receives and stores a large collection of biological samples – primarily tissue and blood – from individuals in South West Sydney, Illawarra, Shoalhaven and the ACT who have been diagnosed with cancer.

The facility uses these samples to research the genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors linked to cancer. These findings are then translated into new ways to prevent, detect, diagnose and treat different types of cancer.

Biobanks are an important weapon in the fight against cancer, and the CONCERT Biobank plays an active role working with hospitals to establish more biobanks in the region.

How the CONCERT Biobank works

The CONCERT Biobank collects, processes, stores and disseminates cancer bio-specimens and health information for research into the prevention and cure of cancer.

It is an important initiative of the CONCERT Translational Cancer Research Centre, which works on a range of cancer research projects with organisations across NSW including:

  • universities (Western Sydney University, University of New South Wales and University of Wollongong)
  • medical research institutes (Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research and Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute) and
  • hospitals and local health districts (South West Sydney, Illawarra/Shoalhaven and ACT).

The CONCERT Biobank is one of hundreds of medical research and development programs underway at the Ingham Institute to develop new ways to inspire health and transform care in South West Sydney and beyond.

Biobank donors

The opportunity to donate to the CONCERT Biobank begins when individuals elect to have surgery as part of their cancer treatment.

When a tumour is removed, it is sent to a pathologist to be examined. Usually, the pathologist uses a small amount of tumour tissue for the diagnosis and then discards the rest.

If an individual chooses to become a donor to the CONCERT Biobank at the Ingham Institute, a small portion of the tumour and surrounding tissue removed during surgery is stored by the biobank. Sometimes a small amount of blood is donated at the same time.

 

Collecting the tumour sample happens after the pathologist has all of the information needed to make their diagnosis. The biobank then stores the remaining tissue sample securely so that both current and future generations can benefit from the valuable information it contains.

Biobanking is internationally recognised as an important activity in the fight against cancer, and biobanks are supported by state and national funding such as the Cancer Institute NSW.

If you would like to participate in the CONCERT biobank program please speak with your treating doctor.

To learn more about the CONCERT Biobank at the Ingham Institute please click here.