Biobank - Idival

Valdecilla biobank is a research support platform created to promote biomedical research through the management of patient’s samples and associated clinical data, all under the strictest conditions of quality and confidentiality.

In December 2015, the unit’s authorization to operate as a biobank was renewed by the Ministry of Health of Cantabria. This authorization implies compliance with the provisions set out in Royal Decree 1716/2011 of 18th November and its incorporation into the National Register of Biobanks of the Carlos III Health Institute.

Its main functions are:

Generate large collections of samples and associated data of high scientific value, homogeneous, adequately classified and meeting quality criteria.
To make available to the scientific community collections of biological samples and their associated clinical data in order to facilitate and promote quality biomedical research.
Provide methodological support and advice to researchers in all matters related to the establishment of collections.
Guarantee the rights of patients / donors and the confidentiality of their data by strict compliance with current ethical and legal standards.
Participate in the actions and objectives of national biobanks networks.

STRUCTURE and CONTACT
ASKING FOR SAMPLES
COLLECTION INCORPORATION AND CREATION
OTHER SERVICES
INFORMATION FOR DONORS

The Valdecilla Biobank has an organizational structure based on Nodes that receive and manage different types of samples.

To request samples from the collections of the CATALOG, please send by e-mail the completed SAMPLE REQUEST FORM attaching the following documentation:

Project or project summary
Favorable resolution of the Ethics/Scientific Committee (if the project has been previously evaluated)
Documentation accrediting funding (if applicable).

In accordance with the provisions of RD1716/2011, November 18, 2011, sample requests will be evaluated by the Biobank's Ethics and External Scientific Committees and a sample transfer agreement (MTA) will be signed before sending the samples.

Valdecilla Biobank provides the available samples free of charge. However, the requesting researchers will assume the costs derived from the management, handling and transport of the samples established in the RATES approved by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation.

DNA AND FLUIDS NODE

This Node has collections of DNA, RNA, serum, plasma, CSF, PBMCs and other biological materialas sourced from a diverse range of pathological conditions, healthy controls, and population cohorts.

Send form to:
Inés Santiuste (ines.santiuste@idival.org)
Tel: (+34) 942 315518

SOLID SPECIMEN NODE

This Node manages collections of surplus human tissue samples collected during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. These primarily include neoplastic tissues and adjacent normal tissues, which are processed fresh, subsequently frozen, or preserved as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples.

Send form to:
Nerea Martínez Magunacelaya (nerea.martinez@idival.org)
Tel: (+34) 942 202520 ext: 73937

To request the incorporation to the Biobank of a retrospective collection or to start a new collection of human biological samples, please contact the corresponding Node and we will advise you on how to do it.

All samples intended to be part of a Biobank collection will be sent together with the corresponding Informed Consent

Those samples that are incorporated into collections managed by the DNA and Fluids Node will also be accompanied by the Biobank Flyer

DNA AND FLUIDS NODE:

DNA extraction from blood
DNA quantification and normalization
Sample storage
Blood mononuclear cell collection
Cryopreservation of blood mononuclear cells
Serum and plasma separation and aliquoting
Other services

SOLID SPECIMEN NODE:

Frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue processing
Histological techniques: HE, Giemsa, PAS, trichrome, Trichrome
Laser microdissection ? TISSUE MICRO ARRAY Construction
Clinical data processing

Valdecilla Biobank also offers an advisory service for the creation and management of prospective collections of human biological samples and on the technical (methodology, types of samples to be collected, ways of obtaining, transport, etc.) and ethical-legal aspects related to the use of biological samples in biomedical research. The prices corresponding to the services described above can be found in the Rates section.

RATES

INFORMATION FOR DONORS

To donate samples to the Valdecilla Biobank, donors must provide authorization by signing an informed consent form. This document outlines the purpose of the donation and details how the samples and associated clinical data will be used. Once the donation is completed, the samples are sent to the biobank, where they are meticulously registered, coded, processed, and stored in compliance with strict confidentiality and quality standards.

Data Protection Information:

In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council, of April 27, 2016, on the protection of individuals regarding the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data, we inform you of the following:

Data Controller: FUNDACION INSTITUTO DE INVESTIGACION MARQUÉS DE VALDECILLA - AVDA. CARDENAL HERRERA ORIA, S/N – 39007 – SANTANDER (Cantabria) - biobanco2@idival.org - (+34) 942 315 515

Data Protection Officer: PRODAT CANTABRIA, S.L.

Data Protection Officer Contact: rgpd@idival.org

Purpose of Processing: Management of data from biological sample donors for epidemiological research and similar activities, statistical, historical, or scientific purposes.

Retention Period: Biological samples and associated clinical data may be kept indefinitely if authorized and as long as they remain useful based on quality and relevance criteria aligned with the purpose for which they were obtained, provided the individual does not request their deletion.

Automated Decisions and Profiling: No automated decisions or profiling analysis will be carried out.

Legal Basis for Processing: The legal basis for processing your personal data is the consent of the data subject.

Obligation to Provide Personal Data: The entity will only transfer data that is strictly necessary for the research project for which the samples are used. However, if all required data is not provided, your authorization cannot be processed.

Recipients of the Information: Organizations or individuals directly related to the controller, social security agencies, health entities, non-profit associations and organizations, public administration with competence in the matter.

International Transfers: In specific circumstances, international data transfers may occur to the U.S. under the PRIVACY SHIELD framework or to Canada in accordance with Commission Decision 2002/2/EC of December 20, 2001, which pertains to entities subject to Canadian data protection laws. These transfers are carried out exclusively to facilitate research projects.

Exercising Your Rights:

As a data subject, you have the right to:

Access your personal data at any time.
Request the rectification of inaccurate data.
Request the deletion of your data, particularly if it is no longer needed for the purposes for which it was collected.
In certain circumstances, request the limitation of data processing.
Exercise the right to data portability, receiving your data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format or transferring it to a new data controller of your choice.
Revoke your consent at any time for any processing for which it was granted.

To exercise these rights, please contact us at biobanco2@idival.org. Additionally, if you believe your rights have not been properly addressed, you can file a complaint with the Spanish Data Protection Agency. Requests will be addressed within a maximum of one month from the date of receipt.

Right to Withdraw Consent: You may revoke your consent at any time for the storage of your samples in the Biobank or their use in biomedical research projects. Upon withdrawal, you can request the deletion or anonymization of your samples. However, this withdrawal will not affect data or results generated from research conducted before the withdrawal of consent. You may also specify any restrictions on the use of your samples in the attached form.

Right to Lodge a Complaint with the Supervisory Authority: If you believe your rights have been violated, you can file a complaint with the Spanish Data Protection Agency.

Rights for Minors
If you are a minor, upon reaching the age of majority, you will be guaranteed access to the information outlined in Article 32 of RD 1716/2011 concerning your samples.