The UK ME/CFS Biobank
The UK ME/CFS Biobank (UKMEB) is an open resource for clinical and biomedical research into ME/CFS. As the first ME/CFS-specific biobank in Europe, its rigorous protocols have set a global standard, serving as a model for ME/CFS biobanks worldwide.
Mission
To sustain an open resource enabling translational research and ethical investigations, fostering cooperation among researchers and facilitating breakthrough discoveries.
Vision
To drive clinical & biomedical research to improve the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS.
Why use a biobank ?
“Once primary experiments are completed, remaining samples can be used for further confirmatory experiments or exploratory work leading to new grant applications. However, this work and information usually remain within the researcher’s institution.
Researchers have long frozen and stored biological samples for robust experimental design and comparison over time.
Biobanking has revolutionized this process with standardized protocols and centralized storage, ensuring high-quality samples.
It offers a valuable resource for the global research community, allowing access to a wealth of information and samples for well-planned research.
The UK ME/CFS Biobank now provides samples that we hope will accelerate research towards better understanding and treatment of ME/CFS.”
The UK ME/CFS Biobank currently stores samples from over 600 donors including people with ME/CFS, people with MS, and healthy control donors. Over 30,000 aliquots of blood (collected over multiple time-points) have been processed and are currently held at the UCL/RFH Biobank in London.
Samples are available from four groups of participants:
- Mild and moderate ME/CFS
- Severe (home/bed-bound) ME/CFS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Healthy controls
ME/CFS participants have been diagnosed by physicians and are compliant with CDC ’94 (Fukuda) and Canadian Consensus Criteria (CC).
Human Tissue Act 2004
The Biobank is compliant with the Human Tissue Act 2004 and with the most rigorous procedures to ensure confidentiality and the ethical management of data and tissues. All data and samples provided by people with ME/CFS are de-identified before they are used in research.