Support Network
A collection of organisations and services, locally and nationally, that can support translational research. Network items that include the University of Manchester logo are primarily accessible by members of the University. When logged in with a University of Manchester or guest user account, additional contact details will be available.
Biobanks
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Brain Bank
Providing brain tissue samples to researchers.
How do you support researchers?
Manchester Brain Bank (MBB) is a research tissue bank based in the Biomedical Facility at Salford Royal Hospital. We supply human brain tissue for use in research projects. The ethical approval of MBB allows researchers to apply for use of tissue without the need for them to apply for their own ethical approval.
MBB is primarily a neurodegenerative disease brain bank and, thus, can provide fixed or frozen brain tissue to researchers working in that particular area of research. However, there are plans to expand the remit of MBB and we hope to begin collecting brain donations from individuals with brain tumours, stroke and traumatic brain injury in the near future.
MBB has supplied over 22,000 samples for research since 2009 and this number continues to grow! We have forged close links with researchers at University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Salford University and we’d like to continue to support as many researchers in Manchester as we can.
At what stage in their research project should a researcher approach you for support?
If researchers wish to use human brain tissue from MBB in their proposed research project, we ask for them to contact us as early as possible.
The process to apply for tissue from MBB is as follows: The applicant completes a tissue request form and returns the form to MBB for scrutiny and possible amendment before it is sent to the MBB management committee for comment and approval.
- Once the tissue request is approved, the applicant completes a material transfer agreement. No tissue can be released from MBB without a completed and fully signed material transfer agreement.
- After all essential paperwork is completed, a purchase order will be required for the cost of the request. These costs will be agreed with the requestor beforehand.
- Once a purchase order is received, MBB can begin to collate the tissue required for the request
General contact details
Video introduction: Manchester Brain Bank
Website: https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/manchester-brain-bank/Internal contact details (UoM)🔒 This content can only be viewed by authorised users. University of Manchester staff can log in with their IT account username. If you are not a member of staff, you can request a guest account. Some content may only be accessible to users with a University of Manchester IT account.
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ComplexWounds@Manchester Biobank (CWB@Manchester)
Offers collection and storage of complex wound samples including tissue, fluid, blood and healthy tissue biopsies for investigation of wound healing.
How do you support researchers?
The ComplexWounds@Manchester Biobank offers a not-forprofit service to researchers within the University of Manchester, other academic institutions, NHS Trusts and private industries.
CWB@Manchester aims to provide researchers with access to samples from patients with a variety of complex wound aetiologies including:
- Pressure ulcers
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Venous & Arterial leg ulcers
- Complex traumatic wounds
- Iatrogenic wounds due to surgical complications
- Wounds secondary to infection
- Acute and chronic burn wounds
- Healthy surgical wounds
Ethical approval has been granted for collection of the following types of samples from patients with complex wounds:
- Tissue normally discarded during surgery or dressing changes
- Wound fluid (taken as swabs)
- Blood samples
- Wound or healthy tissue biopsies
In addition to offering wound samples for biomedical researchers, the CWB@Manchester team collect routine anonymised clinical data related to the wound and patient demographics for analysis and comparison to clinical phenotype.
Routine samples are stored frozen at -80C within the MFT Biobank on the MFT Oxford Road site (licensed by the Human Tissue Authority with approval from the National Research Ethics Service to operate as a Research Tissue Bank). See MFT Biobank entry for details).
We strongly encourage contacting the CWB@ Manchester team early on in the project design to discuss feasibility, cost and timescales for tailored prospective sample collection requests.
At what stage in their research project should a researcher approach you for support?
As early as possible to ensure timely and appropriate specimen collection. However, we are also able to offer support at all stages.
General contact details
Video introduction: Complex Wounds @ Manchester Biobank
Website: https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/application-summaries/research-summaries/complexwoundsmanchester-biobank/Internal contact details (UoM)🔒 This content can only be viewed by authorised users. University of Manchester staff can log in with their IT account username. If you are not a member of staff, you can request a guest account. Some content may only be accessible to users with a University of Manchester IT account.
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Manchester Brain Tumour Biorepository and Brain Tumour North West (BTNW)
This tissue and blood resources enable studies to advance our understanding of tumour development. Anonymised clinical annotations and neuroimaging data are also available
How do you support researchers?
The Brain Tumour Biorepository in Manchester is located at the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre on Salford Royal site and it is part of the North Care Alliance Research Collection
The BTNW bank is held at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, Preston.
The Walton Research Tissue bank is held at the Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Liverpool.
Access to tissue from these repositories is made by submission of a short application form which outlines the project and tissue requirements. The application is subject to review by a panel comprising senior clinicians and academics.
Tariffs for tissue processing and supply are applied.
At what stage in their research project should a researcher approach you for support?
Researchers who wish to apply for human brain tumour tissue and blood should contact us as early as possible to discuss tissue availability and costs.
General Contact Details
Website: https://www.ncaresearch.org.uk/support-research/ncarc-information-for-researchers/
Website: http://www.btnw.org.uk/
Website: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/research/domains/neuroscience-mental-health/neurooncology/Internal contact details (UoM)🔒 This content can only be viewed by authorised users. University of Manchester staff can log in with their IT account username. If you are not a member of staff, you can request a guest account. Some content may only be accessible to users with a University of Manchester IT account. -
Manchester Renal Biobank at the Manchester Institute of Nephrology and Transplantation
The bank stores tissues from patients, both adults and children who have had a renal biopsy. Prospective collections are also possible.
How do you support researchers?
We collect tissues to support research activities in adults and children on preserving native kidney function; re−providing limited kidney function through dialysis and understanding the pathophysiology of reperfusion injury and rejection in kidney transplants.
At what stage in their research project should a researcher approach you for support?
As early as possible in order for suitable patients to be identified prospectively. We are happy to establish new collaborations with academics interested in nephrology and seeking tissues for their research.
General contact details
Video introduction: Manchester Renal BiobankInternal contact details (UoM)🔒 This content can only be viewed by authorised users. University of Manchester staff can log in with their IT account username. If you are not a member of staff, you can request a guest account. Some content may only be accessible to users with a University of Manchester IT account. -
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) Biobank
Supplies samples of human tissue, blood, body fluids and processed derivatives for use in ethical biomedical research.
How do you support researchers?
The MFT Biobank is a not-for-profit service established to increase the availability and use of human biomaterials for research within academic institutions, NHS Trusts and private industry. Located on the MFT Oxford Road site, we supply samples of human tissue, blood, body fluids and processed derivatives for use in ethical biomedical research.
There is an open access policy for researchers who are expected to use the tissue responsibly. We are licensed by the Human Tissue Authority and have approval from the National Research Ethics Service to operate as a Research Tissue Bank.
The Biobank is fully equipped for biomaterial collection, processing and storage:
- Frozen Storage at -80C with 24hr temperature monitoring and alarm system
- All processes managed by dedicated Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)
We currently hold biomaterials from the following disease areas:
- Gynaecological disease (including benign, malignant and control samples).
- Bowel disease (including cancer, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease).
- Head and neck, kidney, liver and prostate cancer.
At what stage in their research project should a researcher approach you for support?
As early as possible. Ideally during the grant writing stage but we can still come in and offer support mid-project.
General contact details
Video Introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PcEDCLD0AU&list=PLU9z8zJIkceUEIUIg4hVHUzJfxC-cOvP1&index=4&pp=iAQB
Website: https://research.cmft.nhs.uk/facilities-services/biobank-and-pathology/biobankInternal contact details (UoM)🔒 This content can only be viewed by authorised users. University of Manchester staff can log in with their IT account username. If you are not a member of staff, you can request a guest account. Some content may only be accessible to users with a University of Manchester IT account.
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NIHR BioResource Centre Manchester
NIHR BioResource is a nationwide platform providing access to consented volunteers for recall to research studies, along with a biobank of samples paired with genetics, health and lifestyle data.
How do you support researchers?
The NIHR Manchester BioResource Centre is one of thirteen BioResource Centres across England. Each centre coordinates the recruitment of volunteers in their local area and is supported by the NIHR Biomedical Resource Centres (BRC) and Clinical Research Facilities (CRF).
The BioResource cohorts cover three main areas: common diseases, rare diseases and healthy population
Volunteers provide a small blood sample and health and lifestyle information, which is stored in the NIHR BioResource national database which researchers can subsequently use to find potential study participants.
As well as common disease and healthy populations, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, based at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), is a large rare disease centre. It recruits volunteers across a number of rare disease areas, including infection and immunity, neuroscience, rare cancers and cardiovascular disease.
The Manchester centre also leads the NIHR Immune Mediated Inflammatory Diseases (IMID) BioResource. We recruit UK patients with IMID conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and connective tissue diseases such as lupus.
At what stage in their research project should a researcher approach you for support?
Anyone interested in accessing the NIHR BioResource are welcome to contact us at any point to discuss your needs. To ensure we have sufficient samples or patients recruited in the disease area of interest we would advise contacting us early in your planning.
General contact details
For the IMID common disease BioResource please contact
Email: IMID@Manchester.ac.ukWebsite: https://www.manchesterbrc.nihr.ac.uk/how-we-do-it/nihr-bioresource-centre-manchester/
Website: https://bioresource.nihr.ac.uk/using-our-bioresource/our-cohorts/rare-diseases/
Twitter/X: @IMIDBioResourceInternal contact details (UoM)🔒 This content can only be viewed by authorised users. University of Manchester staff can log in with their IT account username. If you are not a member of staff, you can request a guest account. Some content may only be accessible to users with a University of Manchester IT account. -
Northern Care Alliance Research Collection (NCARC) part of NCA NHS Foundation Trust
NCARC is a HTA licensed research tissue bank with an affiliated sample biorepository. It was given ethical permission in 2018 (REC number 18/WA/0368) to collect, store and release biomaterial and NHS data to support biomedical research
How do you support researchers?
NCARC works across the NCA covering 4 hospitals:
- Salford Royal and integrated services
- The Royal Oldham Hospital and community services
- Fairfield General Hospital and community services
- Rochdale Infirmary and community services
NCARC provides a streamlined, efficient and high-quality way to collect and store appropriately consented annotated biomaterial and NHS data for distribution to partners with a particular interest in biomedical research according to regulatory requirements under one centralised infrastructure and governance framework.
At what stage in their research project should a researcher approach you for support?
Any stage.
General contact details
Video Introduction: Northern Care Alliance Research Collection
Email: NCARC@nca.nhs.uk
Website: https://www.ncaresearch.org.uk/support-research/ncarc/Twitter/X: @NCAresearchNHS
Facebook: NorthernCareAllianceNHSGroup
LinkedIn: Research and Innovation at Northern Care AllianceInternal contact details (UoM)🔒 This content can only be viewed by authorised users. University of Manchester staff can log in with their IT account username. If you are not a member of staff, you can request a guest account. Some content may only be accessible to users with a University of Manchester IT account.
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Salford Biorepository
Supplies samples of human tissue, blood, body fluids and processed derivatives for use in ethical biomedical research.
How do you support researchers?
Salford Biorepository Facility is located in purpose built laboratories in the Clinical Sciences Building at Salford Royal Hospital. It provides a professional sample handling and storage service to support the clinical research activities within Salford Royal and across the Northern Care Alliance (NCA).
The team provides support and advice to clinicians and researchers to facilitate the collection of human research samples for clinical and academic studies, and helps ensure continued compliance with the regulatory requirements. The facility operates within Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Human Tissue Authority (HTA) guidelines.
The vast majority of samples that are processed and stored are blood or blood derived products (e.g. serum, plasma, DNA). The facility currently stores over 65,000 samples, which have been generously provided by over 4000 donors. It supports over 50 clinical research projects and has provided training to over 75 research staff. Samples can be tracked electronically with barcode laboratory information management software and are held in frozen storage at -75C with both 24 hour switchboard alarm monitoring and 24 hour wireless alarm and temperature monitoring.
Salford Biorepository also facilitates the collection and storage of material held as part of the NCA Research Collection (NCARC). This is a generic research tissue bank, hosted by NCA Research and Innovation, with ethical permission to collect any sample types from consenting patients for unspecified future biomedical research. This facilitates important research with commercial and academic partners who require access to high quality annotated samples.
At what stage in their research project should a researcher approach you for support?
As early as possible but we offer support at all stages of a project.
General contact details
Video introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjKpDyAicqg
Website: https://www.ncaresearch.org.uk/support-research/biomedical-biorepository/salford-biorepository-facility/Internal contact details (UoM)🔒 This content can only be viewed by authorised users. University of Manchester staff can log in with their IT account username. If you are not a member of staff, you can request a guest account. Some content may only be accessible to users with a University of Manchester IT account.
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The ManARTS Biobank
A repository of biological samples and detailed clinical information from patients with a range of respiratory conditions and patients with allergies and control samples from Healthy Volunteers.
How do you support researchers?
The ManARTS (Manchester Allergy, Respiratory and Thoracic Surgery) Biobank comprises of a repository of biological samples and detailed clinical information from patients with a range of different diseases, including asthma, cough, interstitial lung disease (ILD), fungal lung disease, cystic fibrosis and patients with allergies. We also collect control samples from Healthy Volunteers.
The biobank was established to facilitate high quality translational research in respiratory medicine and allergies.
Most patients recruited to ManARTS Biobank are asked to donate biological samples (such as blood/saliva, urine, sputum) for the tissue bank. We are also able to collect bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and bronchial biopsy samples and lung tissue from patients undergoing lung resection. We collect accompanying clinical information from case notes, as many patients have already undergone lots of investigations within the NHS clinic.
This research resource is used most commonly by the researchers at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and the University of Manchester. However, researchers from other academic institutions and from the pharmaceutical industry are able to apply to ManARTS Biobank to request permission to perform research using the data and samples in the biobank. Applications to the tissue bank for researchers to access samples and data for research are considered by our steering committee.
At what stage in their research project should a researcher approach you for support?
As early as possible but we offer support at all stages of a project.
General contact details
Video introduction:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9nxK-pH6OY&list=PLU9z8zJIkceUEIUIg4hVHUzJfxC-cOvP1&index=1&pp=iAQB
Website:https://www.hra.nhs.uk/planning-and-improving-research/application-summaries/research-summaries/manarts-biobank/Internal contact details (UoM)🔒 This content can only be viewed by authorised users. University of Manchester staff can log in with their IT account username. If you are not a member of staff, you can request a guest account. Some content may only be accessible to users with a University of Manchester IT account. -
The Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) Biobank
Supplies samples of human tissue, blood, body fluids and processed derivatives for use in ethical biomedical research.
How do you support researchers?
The MCRC Biobank collects cancer samples from five collaborating NHS Trusts across the region. These are:
- The Christie NHS Foundation Trust (CFT)
- Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (SRFT)
- University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM)
- Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (PAT)
- Manchester University Foundation Trust
- Manchester Royal Infirmary
- Wythenshawe Hospital
By targeting collections to areas of specialisation, the Biobank will be able to build a comprehensive bank of samples to facilitate future research into all types of cancer.
At what stage in their research project should a researcher approach you for support?
As early as possible but we offer support at all stages of a project.
General contact details
Video introduction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0PeE3T1Tw4&list=PLU9z8zJIkceUEIUIg4hVHUzJfxC-cOvP1&index=5&pp=iAQB
Website: https://www.mcrc.manchester.ac.uk/research/mcrcbiobank/about-the-mcrc-biobank/Internal contact details (UoM)🔒 This content can only be viewed by authorised users. University of Manchester staff can log in with their IT account username. If you are not a member of staff, you can request a guest account. Some content may only be accessible to users with a University of Manchester IT account.