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Information for Researchers

ADTB is an open access biobanking resource and researchers can apply to use donated samples for their research. Research projects must meet standard ethical and scientific requirements before donated samples will be provided.

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Applications to use donated samples are assessed by the ADTB Sample Access Committee and LifeBlood Human Research Ethics Committee (the ethics committee for DonateLife Victoria). Once a project is approved, ADTB coordinates sample retrieval and distribution as well as linkage with de-identified clinical data. Samples donated to ADTB are collected by a surgeon and are provided directly to approved researchers or stored for future use.

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We encourage researchers to contact ADTB (adtb@austin.org.au) before applying to discuss sample needs and required ethics approvals for the research project. Research projects must have approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) and if relevant, an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), before sample access applications can be submitted.

Available Clinical Biospecimens

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The ADTB can provide the following fresh, frozen, formalin-fixed or paraffin-embedded samples:​

  • blood

  • bone marrow (sternal)

  • gut (oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon)

  • heart & thoracic vessels

  • kidney

  • liver & gallbladder

  • lower urinary tract

  • lungs & trachea

  • lymph nodes (mediastinal, mesenteric and lung-draining)

  • muscle tissue (abdominal wall and forearm)

  • pancreas

  • skin

  • spleen

  • thymus

 

The samples listed below may be available - please contact us to discuss further.

  • breast tissue

  • fat

  • female reproductive system

  • lymph nodes (brachial and axillary)

  • prostate (males)

  • salivary glands

  • tonsils

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Hours of Operation and Sample Notification

 

The ADTB’s office hours are Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. However, notification of available donor samples may occur outside of business hours. To allow sufficient time for the retrieval time to prepare for ADTB sample collection, researchers must submit all requests for donor samples before the time specified in the ADTB WhatsApp group.

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Sample Shipment

 

Fresh samples are usually shipped to researchers on the day of donation surgery. However, if the surgery takes place late in the day, samples may be shipped the next day. For same-day deliveries within Melbourne, samples typically arrive in the late afternoon or evening. For next-day deliveries within Melbourne, samples usually arrive by mid to late morning. The cost of delivery within Melbourne is covered by ADTB. Researchers are also welcome to pick up samples directly from Austin Health.

 

Interstate delivery of fresh samples within Australia is possible. Please discuss with ADTB (adtb@austin.org.au). The cost of interstate delivery is covered by the researcher.

 

Stored samples can be delivered within Australia and internationally. The cost of delivery for stored samples is covered by the researcher.

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Application Process

 

The following steps are required to apply for ADTB access:  

 

  1. Read the ADTB How to Apply and Conditions of Use document.

  2. Contact the ADTB to notify us of your intention to apply at adtb@austin.org.au. 

  3. Complete a Sample Access Form and attach the required documents.

  4. Await review by the ADTB Sample Access Committee (estimated 4-week turnaround) and the Lifeblood Ethics Committee (may take up to 4 weeks).

  5. Add your details to the ADTB Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) template and submit this to your local institutional Research and Governance Office for review and execution.

  6. Samples will be provided when the sample access application is approved and the MTA is executed.

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Agreements

 

A Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is required to be executed between Austin Health, the institution providing Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval for ADTB, and the researcher's institution (who will have provided HREC approval for their research project). This agreement must be in place prior to the transfer of any samples or data to the research project.

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Amendment Process

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To submit an amendment request, please follow these steps: 

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  1. If the proposed changes fall outside the scope of your current ethics approval, seek approval for an ethics amendment from your local Human Research Ethics Committee (and if relevant, the Animal Ethics Committee).

  2. Complete the ADTB Amendment Request Form. 

  3. Send the completed form along with any supporting documents to adtb@austin.org.au.

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Cost-recovery Model

 

The ADTB operates using a cost-recovery model: it does not profit from any services or samples provided, only recouping operational expenses. Researchers are required to pay a fee per sample. The fee includes delivery within Melbourne. The cost of delivery outside of Melbourne must be covered by the researcher.

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