About

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) Biobank aims to collect, store, and manage biological samples, such as tumor tissues, blood, and DNA, from cancer patients. These samples are used for research to better understand cancer biology, identify biomarkers, and develop personalized treatments. The ultimate goal is to advance cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.

The USask Biobank obtains these samples from the various operating rooms of the Saskatoon and Regina hospitals. It has its own laboratory and storage area with -80 C freezer and liquid nitrogen tank.

The Biobank has its own Governance Committee to ensure transparent, ethical and regulatory compliant management of a biobank. It also has a Scientific Committee that plays an important role in overseeing the process that governs access and use of biological samples and associated data.

Biobank overview

Biobank patient overview - January 2025

The Biobank includes aliquots from:

  • Ascites (supernatant, cells pellet and cell pellet in cryopreservation solution)
  • Blood (plasma, buffy coat, serum, PBMC, DNA)
  • Tissue (O.C.T tissue, frozen tissue, tissue in cryopreservation solution, FFPE blocks, H&E slides, DNA and RNA)

List of supported projects with associated publications

  • Project 1: Dr. Benson (USask): Cryobiological evaluation of ovarian tissue for development of optimal preservation protocols (start on October 2021), Publication: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/11/6/1054
  • Project 2: Dr. Chamberlain (USask): Pilot study to characterize methods to process ovarian tumors to generate 3D tumor models (start on May 2022),
  • Project 3: TFRI – MOHCCN – PCRC Cohorts ovarian cancer (start on July 2022),
  • Project 4: Dr. Kinloch (USask): Clinical implementation of oncogenomic testing and synoptic reporting for improved ovarian cancer patient care in Saskatchewan (start on April 2023),
  • Project 5: Dr. Chamberlain (USask): Development of patient avatars using tissue engineering techniques (start on May 2023),
  • Project 6: TFRI – MOHCCN – Pan-Canadian – Enabling precision oncology in rare types of gynecologic cancer (start on June 2023),
  • Project 7: Dr. Vizeacoumar (USask): Establishing organoids models of cancer (start on September 2023).

How to apply

  1. Apply for Secondary use of Biological Materials to your institution ethics committee (if from USask: Secondary Use of Biological Materials).

  2. Complete the Material and Data Request Form and submit to sylvie.clairefond@usask.ca with all supporting documents, to (this step can be done in parallel with the submission to the ethics committee).

  3. If your application is complete, the biobank will convene its scientific committee within 7 days of receiving your application.

  4. The biobank will provide you with a decision letter:
    4.1. If your project is not approved, the scientific committee will provide you with explanations in the decision letter
    4.2. If your project is approved with conditions, you must adapt your application or provide the missing documents,
    4.3. If your project is approved, you will receive a Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) between the biobank and the principal investigator of the project.

  5. Your research project can begin:
    5.1. Retrospective projects the biobank will coordinate with you the transmission of samples,
    5.2. Prospective projects the biobank will inform you of the collection of future samples. 

Governance committee

Dr. Mary Kinloch (Pathologist)
Dr. Laura Hopkins (Oncologist)
Dr. Sylvie Clairefond (Biobank Coordinator)
Dr. Darryl Adamko (Scientific Research)
Dr. Anne-Marie Mes-Masson (Senior Scientific)
Lacey Brennan (Bioethical)
Dr. Andy Acton (Patient)

Scientific committee

Dr. Mary Kinloch (Pathologist)
Dr. Laura Hopkins (Oncologist)
Dr. Sylvie Clairefond (Biobank Coordinator)

Contact

If you have questions or need more information, please contact our Biobank Coordinator Dr. Sylvie Clairefond.

By phone: 

Office: (306) 844-1654 Cell: (514) 585-3084

Via email:

sylvie.clairefond@usask.ca