Clark H. Smith Tumour Biobank

Summary

Medical researchers want to find better ways to detect tumours early, to prevent the occurrence/recurrence of tumours and to develop more effective therapies. To do this, they need more information about the characteristics of tumours, and they need access to tumours and related tissue/fluids.

The Clark H. Smith Tumour and Related Tissue Biobank is a biorepository at the University of Calgary that was established with the goal of advancing cancer research. We assist basic, translational, and clinical cancer research by collecting and providing high quality tumour and blood samples, and their derivative biomolecules, to investigators. Although our main focus is brain and childhood cancers, we accept samples from all organ systems and variety of disease processes, including blood and urine from non-cancer individuals. Most tissue samples are collected from leftover material from surgical procedures. A smaller number of samples originate from organ or tissue donation for research after death.

The bank provides material to investigators not only within Calgary but also nationally and internationally.