A specialized biological repository advancing research on carotid artery stenosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm through high-quality specimens and clinical data.
Imagine a library where instead of books, the shelves contain priceless biological specimens—blood samples, tissue sections, and genetic material—all meticulously organized and preserved. This isn't science fiction; it's the reality of modern biobanking, a revolutionary approach accelerating medical research and personalized treatments for complex diseases.
Meticulously collected and preserved biological samples for advanced research
Rich clinical information paired with specimens for meaningful analysis
At the forefront of this movement in vascular medicine lies the Genoa Vascular Biobank (GTB-VD), an Italian research infrastructure dedicated to unraveling the mysteries of debilitating circulatory conditions that affect millions worldwide 2 .
Vascular diseases, including carotid artery stenosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm, represent serious health threats that can lead to devastating consequences like stroke and internal bleeding. Understanding these conditions at the molecular level requires access to high-quality biological specimens coupled with comprehensive clinical data—exactly what specialized biobanks provide 2 . The Genoa Vascular Biobank serves as both a repository and a research engine, supporting studies aimed at identifying molecular targets and circulating biomarkers that could revolutionize how we predict, prevent, and treat vascular disorders 4 .
From simple repositories to complex infrastructure networks supporting precision medicine.
Population-based, disease-oriented, and imaging biobanks serving different research needs.
Rigorous governance frameworks protecting donor rights while enabling groundbreaking research.
A biobank is far more than a collection of biological samples in frozen storage. According to international standards, biobanks are structured resources that contain biological materials along with extensive associated information, managed by established governance structures to protect donors' rights while enabling groundbreaking research . The term "biobank" first appeared in scientific literature in 1996, but the concept has much deeper roots, dating back to the establishment of the first human cell line (HeLa) in 1951 1 .
Establishment of the first human cell line (HeLa) - a precursor to modern biobanking
First appearance of the term "biobank" in scientific literature
Emergence of biobank networks like BBMRI-ERIC for standardized, collaborative research
Integration with multi-omics technologies and personalized medicine approaches
Biobanks can be broadly categorized based on their research focus:
Collect samples from broad segments of the population, supporting studies on genetic susceptibility and environmental factors in disease development 1 .
Focus on specific conditions, such as the Genoa Vascular Biobank's specialized collection for vascular diseases 2 .
The emergence of imaging biobanks represents a recent advancement, enabling researchers to extract quantitative features from medical images and correlate them with genomic data—a field known as radiogenomics 1 .
Biobanking raises important ethical considerations that have been shaped by historical milestones such as the Nuremberg Code and the Declaration of Helsinki 1 . Key issues include:
The Genoa Vascular Biobank addresses these concerns through rigorous governance frameworks, ethical committee oversight, and transparent operational procedures 2 .
The Genoa Vascular Biobank represents a collaborative network between the IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (Centre of Biological Resources) and the University of Genoa, bringing together expertise from Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Anatomic Pathology, and Clinical and Experimental Vascular Biology 2 .
This multidisciplinary approach creates what the researchers describe as an "unicum" (unique entity) in Italy—a comprehensive resource specifically designed to advance vascular research 4 .
IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino
University of Genoa
A narrowing of the carotid arteries that can lead to ischemic stroke when plaque ruptures and causes cerebral embolism 2 .
A dangerous expansion of the abdominal aorta that carries risk of potentially fatal rupture 2 .
Patient recruitment follows carefully designed inclusion and exclusion criteria. Participants are enrolled one day before their scheduled surgical interventions for CS or AAA, allowing for systematic collection of biospecimens and comprehensive clinical data 2 .
This selective approach ensures that collected specimens support research into specific vascular pathologies while minimizing potential confounding factors.
Patients provide written informed consent following strict ethical guidelines 2 .
Comprehensive assessments including blood tests, imaging, and risk stratification 2 .
Upon arrival at the Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Vascular Biology (BioVasc Lab), operators immediately assess sample quality, noting factors such as transit time and presence of hemolysis. Samples that meet quality standards receive an alphanumeric code electronically linked to the donor's clinical data, while substandard specimens are disposed of with appropriate documentation 2 .
Processing occurs in a dedicated room under a sterile laminar flow hood, where samples are prepared for long-term storage using standardized protocols.
Peripheral blood-derived and frozen tissue samples
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples
Collected from 2018 to 2023
Collected from 2018 to 2023
From its establishment in 2018 through the end of 2023, the Genoa Vascular Biobank has assembled significant collections from 442 carotid artery stenosis patients and 214 abdominal aortic aneurysm patients 2 4 . The CS cohort includes both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, displaying a ratio of approximately 5:1, enabling comparative studies between these clinically distinct presentations 2 .
| Condition | Number of Patients | Symptomatic/Asymptomatic Ratio | Primary Specimen Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carotid Artery Stenosis (CS) | 442 | 5:1 (asymptomatic:symptomatic) | Serum, plasma, whole blood, PBMCs, tissue specimens |
| Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) | 214 | N/A | Serum, plasma, whole blood, PBMCs, urine, tissue specimens |
Analysis of associated clinical data has revealed important patterns in patient characteristics and treatment approaches:
| Parameter | Carotid Artery Stenosis | Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm |
|---|---|---|
| Common Comorbidities | More frequently associated with diabetes and peripheral artery diseases | More associated with pulmonary history and renal function impairment |
| Preferred Surgical Approach | Open surgery more commonly used | Endovascular approach more frequently employed |
| Specimen Unique to Condition | None | Urine samples collected |
The carefully collected specimens and data in the Genoa Vascular Biobank enable multiple research approaches:
Identifying gene expression patterns in vascular tissues
Validating circulating markers for early disease detection
Pinpointing molecular pathways for drug development
The biobank's design supports the translation of research findings into clinical applications, particularly for risk stratification and development of minimally invasive, in situ therapies 4 .
| Reagent/Material | Primary Function | Application Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Serum and plasma samples | Source of circulating biomarkers, proteins, metabolites | Proteomic analysis, biomarker validation studies |
| Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) | Immune cell population analysis | Studying inflammatory responses in vascular diseases |
| Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) tissues | Histological examination, immunohistochemistry | Tissue morphology studies, protein localization |
| Frozen tissue specimens | Nucleic acid extraction, molecular analysis | Genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic studies |
| Urine samples | Source of metabolic biomarkers | Metabolomic profiling, kidney function assessment |
| DNA/RNA extraction kits | Nucleic acid isolation | Genetic and expression studies |
| Cryoprotectants | Preserve cell integrity during freezing | Maintaining sample quality in long-term storage |
The Genoa Vascular Biobank represents a critical resource for advancing vascular medicine, but its true potential lies in future applications and collaborations.
Next-generation biobanking increasingly involves integrating data from multiple molecular levels—genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics—to create comprehensive pictures of disease processes 2 .
The standardized specimens in the Genoa Vascular Biobank position it perfectly for such multi-omics approaches, potentially revealing novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for vascular conditions.
The ultimate goal of biobanking research is to enable personalized medical approaches where treatments are tailored to individual patient characteristics 1 .
For vascular diseases, this might mean developing biomarkers that predict which asymptomatic carotid stenosis patients will benefit from surgical intervention or identifying molecular signatures that indicate aneurysm stabilization versus progression.
The Genoa team explicitly welcomes collaborative studies and sample sharing, recognizing that scientific progress thrives on cooperation 4 .
Through its association with BBMRI-ERIC, the biobank facilitates access for researchers worldwide, following principles of equitable access and scientific excellence 2 .
The Genoa Vascular Biobank exemplifies how modern biobanking has transformed from simple specimen storage to dynamic research infrastructure. By meticulously collecting and managing biological samples paired with rich clinical data, it provides an invaluable resource for unlocking the mysteries of vascular diseases that affect millions worldwide.
As precision medicine continues to evolve, specialized biobanks like the GTB-VD will play increasingly crucial roles in translating biological discoveries into clinical applications that improve patient outcomes. The careful attention to ethical considerations, standardization, and quality control ensures that this biological "library" will yield dividends for years to come—supporting research that leads to better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of devastating vascular conditions.
For researchers interested in accessing this unique resource, the path is clear: develop scientifically excellent proposals that undergo rigorous ethical review, and join the collaborative effort to advance vascular medicine for the benefit of patients everywhere 2 4 .