At The Princess Margaret, many patients have advanced or very aggressive types of cancer, and they come to this hospital because the best treatment is available.  Because of their situation, they are often very anxious to assist with cancer research in whatever ways they can.  One area where patients can help is in building up the BioBank.

A BioBank is an ideal place where clinicians and researchers exchange information and leverage one another’s work. In Dr. Shaw’s words, the BioBank is a bridge between patients receiving treatment in the clinic and researchers in the laboratory.

Building a successful BioBank requires a multi-disciplinary team that brings together talents in both biotechnology and information technology.  This feature describes both components and how they are being approached at Princess Margaret.
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Multimedia


Interview with Dr. Pat Shaw
Dr. Patricia Shaw, Head of the UHN BioBank, speaks about how the BioBank is the bridge between patients and researchers.  She describes recent enhancements and the major requirements for the BioBank.
Interview with Dr. Ben Neel
Dr. Ben Neel, Research Director for the Campbell Family Cancer Research Institute at The Princess Margaret, describes the importance of the BioBank from the perspective of his cancer researchers as well as the enhancements he would like to see in the next two to three years.