A biobank is a collection of biological samples combined with health information (data) from consenting patients to be used for future research. Samples are collected from patients during surgery and treatment. Material that would normally be discarded are stored in a bio-bank. This tissue and data is then available to researchers to use in ethically approved research projects.
South Australian Neurological Tumour Bank is a non-profit organisation in South Australia dedicated to advancing brain cancer research and treatment through the collection and distribution of high-quality brain tumour samples and related data.
Our mission is to collaboratively facilitate Neuro-Oncology research within the our state and nationally. Our goal is to help researchers better understand the biology of brain tumours and improve patient outcomes through the development of new and more effective treatments.
The SANTB was initiated through the Flinders Medical Centre, Department of Neurosurgery and the Flinders University. The need for a resource from which researchers could access tumour tissue and patient data was needed to be able to kick start Neuro-Oncology research in the state. The Goal was for the SANTB to be a statewide service, not limited to a single institute in the state. It is a stored collection of biological samples and data from patients who have been diagnosed with a brain tumour. These samples and data are used for research purposes at Flinders University, University of South Australia, University of Adelaide and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.
The SANTB is apart of Flinders University situated in the Flinders Medical Centre. The Team is comprised of Neuroscientists, Neurosurgeons, Neurooncologists, Nurses and Neuropathologists. The Members are all directly involved in the care of patients with brain tumours.
The original funding of the SANTB was by the funds raised through “Ride Like crazy” which was organised by SAPOL, In collaboration with Flinders Foundation. Ride Like Crazy started in 2009 to support Senior Sergeant Mick ‘Crazy’ Koerner, who had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour at Flinders Medical Centre and passed away soon after.
This group of diseases are a great challenge for both clinicians and the patients and their relatives. Despite major advances in surgery and other therapies, the prognosis for many patients remains poor. Clearly, more research to develop better treatments is needed. There has been some increase in the understanding of the disease but this has not yet translated to a change in survival of the more aggressive forms of brain cancers.
The success of any biobank is based on a healthy collaboration between, clinicians, researchers, patients, and their families. The SANTB embodies this value and has been growing from strength to strength, creating stronger ties between the clinical and research communities.
| 1 Flinders Drive Bedford Drive South Australia, 5042 | |
| 08 8204 4393 | |
| SANTB@flinders.edu.au |
Support Brain Tumour Research
Your donation to the South Australian Neurological Tumour Bank (SANTB) will help to sustain this invaluable resource and fuel ground-breaking research, offering hope to patients and families affected by neurological tumours. All donations will go directly to the SANTB and contributions of $2 or more are tax deductible ensuring your support has a real and lasting impact on research, treatment, and patient care.
For additional information or enquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone on (08) 8204 4393 or email SANTB@flinders.edu.au
Join us in supporting vital research in neurological tumours, click DONATE to make your contribution today.
