lab samples

Biobank for the Molecular Classification of Kidney Disease

The Biobank for the Molecular Classification of Kidney Disease (BMCKD) is the first of its kind in Canada. The biobank, which stores biospecimens such as biopsy tissue, urine, and blood samples from patients with kidney disease, is a core component of the Precision Medicine in Nephrology Research Group.

The mission of the BMCKD is to become the leading resource for kidney disease research, renal pathology, and innovative diagnostic testing to further advance precision medicine.

Biospecimens are collected and stored in our facility by means of biopsy surgeries, participation in clinical research projects, as well as through volunteered donations. Our growing collection provides investigators and clinicians with an extremely unique and valuable resource which is available for use within two domains:

Research

Research

Investigators can apply to the BMCKD for permission to access and utilize biospecimens and/or data for nephrology research purposes.

Email for more information

Clinical Care

Clinical Care

In partnership with Calgary Lab Services and Alberta Health Services, the BMCKD houses pathology samples and data for many patients who have been diagnosed with kidney disease in Southern Alberta. Access to digitized images and data will soon be made available to clinicians to be used as a decision-making and clinical care tool in caring for these patients.

If you have donated biospecimens or wish to donate biospecimens to the biobank, please click the below link:

Biobank Participants

Biobank Research Applications

Thank you for your interest in conducting important research with the Biobank for the Molecular Classification of Kidney Disease (BMCKD).

We are currently accepting project applications. If you wish to view more information regarding samples and/or data that we have available within the Biobank to conduct your next research project, please visit www.target-kd.com.

If you wish to partner with the Biobank to form a research agreement in which we will store the biospecimens collected throughout your clinical project or trial, please contact Graciela Andonegui at andonegu@ucalgary.ca or 403.210.7097.

Application Process

Application Process

Biobank Participants

Thank you for your support and interest in the Biobank for the Molecular Classification of Kidney Disease (BMCKD). Whether you have already donated a biospecimen to the Biobank or if you are considering doing so for research purposes, we would like to express our gratitude for your contributions; the Biobank would not be operational if it were not for these donations. You play a critical role in advancing the medical understanding and treatment of kidney disease.

Currently, the BMCKD stores the following biospecimens: kidney biopsy tissue, urine samples, blood samples, and saliva samples.

If you are:

  • You must have been diagnosed with kidney disease prior to your donation
  • You can decide exactly which type of biospecimen and how many samples to donate
  • You can decide what kind of research studies or topics you would like your donations to be used for and what types of research you would like them excluded from
  • You can ask for any or all of your donations and/or personal information to be removed from the BMCKD database at any point in time after donating
  • You can contact us at any time to set up a donation consult and appointment
  • You can change the kind of research studies or topics you would like your donations to be used for and what types of research you would like them excluded from
  • You can ask for an update as to what your donations have been used for and if any research papers have been published from those studies
  • You can ask for any or all of your biospecimens and/or personal information to be removed from the BMCKD database at any point in time

The BMCKD and its affiliated researchers operate under legally binding agreements with Calgary Lab Services, research and confidentiality agreements, standard operating procedures, and provincial privacy regulations. While the BMCKD acts as the custodian of your data and biospecimens with your consent, the donor maintains all ownership rights. All BMCKD research activities are approved by the University of Calgary’s Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (CHREB). The safety and security of your personal information is of the upmost importance.

For inquiries, please contact Graciela Andonegui, Program Manager, at 403.210.7097 or andonegu@ucalgary.ca.

For all media, research, and Biobank donations or participation inquiries, please contact: Graciela Andonegui, PhD Program Manager 403.210.7097 andonegu@ucalgary.ca

For direct contact to the Biobank, please contact: Kevin Chapman Biobank Facilities Administrator/Calgary Lab Services Liason 403.210.7866 kchapman@ucalgary.ca