Our Biobank Collections
Our Biobank collects, processes, stores, and manages a wide range of biological samples, including:
Tissue and Cell Samples
- Cartilage tissue
- Synovial tissue
- Bone tissue
- Meniscal tissue
- Intervertebral disc tissue
- Tissue-derived isolated cells
- FFPE (Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded) and frozen histological samples
Blood and Other Biological Fluids
- Blood serum
- Plasma
- Bone marrow
- Synovial fluid
- Saliva
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid
- Menstrual blood
Genetic Material
- DNA
- RNA
Unique Resources
The IMC Biobank is distinguished by its ability to collect and preserve viable (living) cells, making it a unique resource for biomedical research.
Viable Cryopreserved Cells
Cryopreserved viable cells enable researchers to investigate the effects of various factors on living cells, including:
- drug efficacy,
- medical devices and technologies,
- cytotoxicity,
- regenerative therapies,
- biocompatibility of medical devices and biomimetic scaffolds,
- and other biomedical research applications.
These cells retain high viability and metabolic activity after thawing, allowing researchers to obtain results that closely reflect in vivo conditions.
Health Information
Alongside biological samples, the IMC Biobank collects and securely stores comprehensive health information. This information is maintained separately within the IMC Biobank's dedicated information management system.
Unique Collections
The research activities of the IMC Department of Regenerative Medicine, which includes the IMC Biobank, primarily focus on knee joint tissues, particularly articular cartilage.
Consequently, the IMC Biobank maintains unique, well-characterized collections of patient-specific knee joint tissues and cartilage samples, providing valuable resources for musculoskeletal and regenerative medicine research.
International Collaboration
The IMC Biobank is a member of the Biobanking and BioMolecular Resources Research Infrastructure – European Research Infrastructure Consortium (BBMRI-ERIC).
Biological samples collected by the IMC Biobank are available to researchers worldwide through the BBMRI-ERIC Directory, facilitating international scientific collaboration and access to high-quality biobank resources.
Access to Biological Samples and Health Information
The IMC Biobank may provide human biological samples and/or associated health information to:
Eligible Users
- Biomedical researchers in Lithuania and abroad;
- Other certified biobanks.
Access Procedure
Access requests may be submitted by e-mail.
Each request is individually evaluated, and applicants receive a formal response.
Where required, approval from the appropriate Biomedical Research Ethics Committee must be obtained before access is granted.
Conditions for Access
Biological samples and/or health information are provided exclusively in a form that does not allow the direct or indirect identification of donors.
Only anonymized data and samples are released for research purposes.
All access is permission-based and fully auditable.
Confidentiality and Data Protection
The confidentiality of health information processed by the IMC Biobank is strictly protected in accordance with:
- the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR);
- the Lithuanian Law on Ethics of Biomedical Research;
- other applicable legislation governing personal data protection;
- national regulations concerning health data management.
Disclosure of Identifiable Information
In exceptional cases, biological samples, health information, or biomedical research results that may reveal a donor's identity may only be disclosed pursuant to a court decision and solely in cases provided for by the legislation of the Republic of Lithuania.
Participants' Rights
Individuals participating in the activities of the IMC Biobank have the right to submit a written request to obtain information on whether their biological samples and/or health information have been used for scientific research.
Participants may also receive information regarding the specific biomedical research project in which their samples or data have been used.
Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal of Consent
Participation in the IMC Biobank is entirely voluntary and without financial compensation.
Individuals may refuse to participate in the Biobank or withdraw their consent at any time without providing any reason.
To withdraw consent, the participant or their legally authorized representative must complete the designated withdrawal form.
The withdrawal form may be completed:
- in person at the IMC Biobank (Santariškių St. 5, Vilnius, Lithuania), or
- by submitting the completed form via e-mail to biobankas@imcentras.lt.
Regulatory Oversight
Personal data are processed in accordance with applicable Lithuanian and European Union legislation.
The activities of biobanks in Lithuania are supervised by several competent authorities.
Compliance with the licensing requirements applicable to biobanks is monitored by the State Health Care Accreditation Agency under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania.
Before any biomedical research involving human biological samples and/or health information stored in the IMC Biobank can commence, authorization must be obtained from the Lithuanian Bioethics Committee or the relevant Regional Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (Vilnius or Kaunas), depending on their respective competence.
Where research involves medicinal products containing or using human biological samples, the Lithuanian Bioethics Committee issues an ethical approval certificate, while the State Medicines Control Agency under the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania grants authorization to conduct the clinical trial.
