Bio-Banking
Enabling fast, compliant access to high-quality human samples for brain research
Biobanking at CMN builds on 30+ years of neurogenetics and molecular neurology expertise, combining deep clinical partnerships, rigorous sample handling, and a culture of data sharing to accelerate discovery and translation.
Today, we run a decentralized biobank hub integrated with Biobank Antwerp (FAGG registration BB190007) through which we help researchers collect, register, store, and share human biomaterials (HBMs) and linked data under the Belgian biobank law, with scientific usability front and center.
What we do
- End-to-end support for biosampling in research: consent & study design, SOPs, logistics, and documentation.
- On-site storage in fully monitored, backed-up facilities (liquid nitrogen/−80/−20/RT) with disaster-recovery procedures.
- Traceability by design: all samples tracked in our Biobank LIMS and synced to the central Biobank Antwerp LIMS.
- Faster collaboration: pre-approved templates (ICF, MTA/DTA, access agreements) co-developed with UAntwerp, UZA, and VIB legal reduce turnaround from months to weeks.
- Access & sharing with academic and industry partners, aligned to consent, ownership and GDPR.
How we can help your project
Set up a new collection
We assist with study/consent design, EC & biobank procedures, SOPs, LIMS onboarding
Host & register existing samples
Import into our hub (physical storage here or federated at your site) with full documentation and access control
Request materials/data
Let us know your query (phenotype or molecular features) and we will inform you about what we can provide. We coordinate governance (EC, MTA/DTA, GDPR) and delivery.
Governance at a glance
Belgium’s 2018 Royal Decree on biobanks requires full traceability, appropriate consent, and ethics oversight for HBMs used in research.
- CMN operates as a decentralized hub of Biobank Antwerp (UAntwerp/UZA), which is the legal custodian.
- Biobank Antwerp manages biobank registration at FAGG, EC advice and periodic reporting; CMN ensures operational quality, documentation and on-site stewardship.
Example cases
BELNEU: nationwide patient partnerships
CMN leads BELNEU (the Belgian Neurology Consortium), a multicenter collaboration that systematically recruits patients from memory clinics across Belgium. Established in 2011, this consortium creates a comprehensive biosampling and biobanking infrastructure locally that is essential for translating research breakthroughs into improved patient care.
1000 Healthy Elderly Study
This cohort began >10 years ago with cognitive profiling, genotyping and biosampling in 1,000+ volunteers. We are now re-contacting participants for repeat assessments and largely non-invasive sampling. The goal is to map trajectories of cognitive aging and discover early, scalable biomarkers.
Banking the brain
Banking the Brain is a Flemish biobanking initiative that connects biosamples and clinical data for brain disease research across universities, hospitals, and biobanks.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Julie van der Zee
Biobank Lead
VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology
Universiteit Antwerpen - Campus Drie Eiken
Building V, V-Annex Room 1.20
Universiteitsplein 1
B-2610 Antwerpen
Belgium
+32 3 265 1032
Team
