For Researchers
Applying for Samples
Tumour Bank Application Form chw_tb_application_form.pdf.
Introduction
The Tumour Bank at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead contains collections of:
- tumour samples and, where possible, matched control blood or bone marrow samples;
- blood samples from children with malignancies; and
- serial collections of blood, bone marrow and CSF from children with leukaemia.
Samples in the Tumour Bank are available to any researcher who can demonstrate a proposal with scientific or clinical merit, local Ethics Committee approval, and a source of funding.
Initial Contact
An email is usually received from a researcher interested in obtaining samples from the Tumour Bank. An initial search of the database is then undertaken to establish the number samples the bank has in storage (with consent) which are suitable for the researcher’s requirements.
In response to the initial contact with the tumour bank, the application process is also detailed to the researcher. The current tumour bank application form is also attached to the email (chw_tb_application_form.pdf).
Tumour Bank Application Received and assessed
Once an application has been received from a researcher, the application will be assessed by the members of the Tumour Bank Committee. Any issues or concerns raised by committee members are tabulated together.
Applications Approved
If an application is approved by the Tumour Bank Committee, the applicant is notified by email and asked to forward details of their World Courier account number to facilitate delivery of the samples (if applicable). If the applicant is a local researcher then arrangements are made for the samples to be collected from the Children’s Hospital at Westmead Tumour Bank.
Project Progress Reports
Within 6-12 months of an applicant receiving samples from the Tumour Bank, an email is sent to the applicant requesting a progress report on the samples received from the Tumour Bank. Any unused specimens are to be returned to the Tumour Bank.
Clinical Sample Request
For clinicians requiring samples for further diagnosis, the Tumour Bank's request form can be downloaded from here (chw_tb_request_form.pdf).
