Biorepositories

Introduction

BRI is home to rigorously maintained biorepositories containing blood and tissue samples donated by people with immune-mediated diseases and healthy controls. We employ careful and consistent sample processing and storage protocols to ensure sample integrity, enabling scientists to gather as much data as possible from every single sample.

We are grateful to receive approximately 10,000 samples annually from many generous donors. These donations allow BRI investigators and their collaborators to make new insights and faster progress in finding ways to predict, prevent and treat human disease. Our unique biorepositories help attract scientists from around the world to join BRI’s team.

BRI Biorepositories by the numbers

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Research Areas

14,000+

Participants

350,000+

Samples

Allergies and Asthma

BRI’s Allergy and Asthma Biorepository is a confidential list of people with allergies and/or asthma, who are willing to donate a blood sample and provide health information for scientific research.

Cancer

The Virginia Mason and Benaroya Research Institute Tumor Repository (VM BRITE) is a bank of blood and tissue samples from donors who have cancer.

Down Syndrome

BRI’s Down Syndrome Biorepository is a confidential list of people with Down syndrome who are willing to donate samples and provide health information for scientific research.

Gastrointestinal Disease

The Gastrointestinal Disease Biorepository is a confidential list of people with GI diseases who are willing to donate samples and provide health information to support scientific research.

Healthy Control

BRI’s Healthy Volunteer Biorepository is a confidential list of people with no immune system disease, who are willing to donate a blood sample and provide health information for scientific research.

IgA Nephropathy

The IgA Nephropathy Biorepository is a confidential list of people who have been diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and are willing to donate a blood sample and share health information for research.

Neurologic Disease

The Neurological Disease Biorepository is a confidential list of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological diseases who are willing to donate samples and provide health information for scientific research.

Pulmonary Disease

BRI’s Pulmonary Diseases Biorepository is a confidential list of people with pulmonary diseases who are willing to donate a blood sample and provide health information for scientific research.

Rheumatic Disease

BRI’s Rheumatic Disease Biorepository is a confidential list of people with rheumatic diseases who are willing to donate a blood sample and provide health information for scientific research.

Type 1 Diabetes

Our Type 1 Diabetes Biorepository is a confidential list of people with type 1 diabetes who donate samples and provide health information for scientific research.

Vaccine and Infectious Disease

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Biorepository is a confidential list of people who are willing to participate in a vaccine study, have had a virus, or who have lived in a dengue virus risk area.

Access samples and collaborate with BRI

We exist to advance the science to predict, prevent, reverse and cure diseases of the immune system. We are looking to collaborate with researchers by providing access to human samples. We can't wait to hear from you.

Reach out for samples

Biorepository FAQs

What is a biorepository?

A biorepository collects, processes, stores and distributes blood, tissue and other biological samples to support scientific research. BRI scientists use the donated samples to study autoimmune and immune-mediated diseases.

What do samples from the biorepository enable BRI scientists to study?

Samples donated by people with and without immune system diseases allow researchers to understand how the immune system, the environment, the microbiome, and/or genetics interact and contribute to disease development. Investigators can identify biomarkers (biological characteristics) that are associated with the progression of disease. Using these biomarkers, BRI scientists are able to advance their understanding of how and why immune system diseases develop, identify how genetic risk factors influence these diseases, and develop targets for new therapies.

Are biorepositories confidential?

Yes. All of the information gathered is kept confidential, and samples and health information are coded with numbers, not names.

Which diseases do BRI Scientists study?

Investigators at BRI are interested in immune-mediated diseases. This can include autoimmune diseases like Type 1 Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Celiac Disease. We are also interested in diseases like cancer or allergies, where the immune system contributes to disease progression. Some of our work involves conditions that affect the immune system, like Down Syndrome. We even try to understand how immune systems vary in healthy adults who do not have disease, and how the immune system changes as we age.

Who can participate in a biorepository?

People who have one of the diseases listed above may be eligible to join one of the disease biorepositories. If you do not have an immune-mediated disease and are in good health, you may be eligible to join the Healthy Controls Biorepository.

How can I join a biorepository?

To learn more about BRI’s biorepository or sign up, visit this page or contact us via email. People can also help by encouraging friends and family members with or without immune system diseases to donate to the biorepository as well.

Appointments take about 30-45 minutes and involve the collection of:

●   Vitals, like blood pressure
●   Health information
●   A blood sample

How else can I support BRI?

BRI needs community support to continue its crucial work of finding the causes and cures to eliminate autoimmune and immune system diseases. For more information about supporting BRI call 206-583-6083 or visit BenaroyaResearch.org/support-us.

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