A biobank is an infrastructure that collects, preserves and stores biological samples and associated data following standardized procedures for scientific and clinical use.

A biological sample can be a cell sample, a solid or liquid organ fragment, or the product of a blood sample.

The associated data are biomedical information from the research or medical record, and include elements such as age, sex, ethnic origin, diagnosis, treatments, clinical course, medication, laboratory results, imaging or pathology

The AIRS Biobank supports health research, with a primary focus on respiratory diseases. It brings together participating centers dedicated to banking human tissue according to the highest quality standards. Sample-associated data is shared on a secure central server. Networking biobanks facilitates the development of research programs, encourages collaboration among researchers, and increases access to rare samples.

Participants who have given their free and informed consent as part of their clinical follow-up or who are taking part in a research project in one of the participating centers.

In keeping with the principle of respect for individuals, consent is free when it is given voluntarily, i.e. without being coerced. It is informed when it is given with full knowledge of the facts. Participants must know and understand what they are agreeing to.

Participation in the AIRS Biobank network is voluntary. Participants are free to withdraw their participation at any time, without having to justify themselves, by making their decision known to the Biobank coordinator or to one of the Biobank staff members at a participating center.

Participants derive no personal benefit or financial compensation from their participation in the biobank. However, the results obtained could contribute to the advancement of knowledge about respiratory diseases.

Depending on the nature of the clinical care the participant is receiving or the research project in which he or she is involved, this may include lung tissue, blood, nasal tissue, respiratory secretions or sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, urine or stool.

Biobanking samples does not usually require additional tissue to be removed during a procedure. We will keep in our biobank the Residual tissue of one or more samples that would normally be discarded. Samples are taken when the participant is receiving care or participating in a research project. If the participant agrees, a blood sample of up to 14 milliliters may be taken.

We are committed to protecting the privacy and identity of participants at all times. The minimum precautions taken by the various centers participating in the Biobank to protect confidentiality are: coding, anonymization, restricted physical access and data under lock and key. Encoded and denominated data are stored on a secure server. Only a few authorized people have access to this server.

Both academic and private industry researchers can access the samples and associated data. For a researcher to be eligible, his or her research project must have been approved by a scientific committee and a research ethics committee.

Researchers using samples and data stored in the Biobank cannot identify participants. Information resulting from research on biobank samples is used for scientific purposes only.

Depending on the version of the consent form that is signed, samples and data may be kept for 25 years, or for as long as their scientific interest warrants, subject to approval by the ethics committee.

No. No information on the specific use of the samples and data entrusted to the Biobank is sent to the participant. We invite you to consult the Media – Publications section of this site for more details on the results of research carried out using Biobank samples. In the event that a scientifically validated result significant to your health is discovered and preventive measures or treatment is available, the participant will be informed by his or her doctor.