Banking human tissue for research: vision to reality

Advances in scientific understanding of disease together with introduction of new high throughput technologies have led to increased demand for human tissue in research. In general, patients are willing to donate for research, particularly samples that are surplus to diagnostic or therapeutic requirements. New tissue-specific regulations in the UK are intended to facilitate the use of human tissue in research. Despite this positive environment there are challenges to researcher access. Coordinated, systematic collection and storage, via a biobank can provide easier access. However translating a vision for a biobank into reality whether in the public or private sector, has never been simple. But it can be done.