The Greater Copenhagen region has access to unique regional and national biobanks and cohort studies that enable high-quality microbiome research.
Biobanks with access to extensive healthcare data
Biobanks are organised at different levels nationally, regionally, and locally at hospitals, but interconnected through the unique civil registration system in Denmark and Sweden. This makes it possible to link biological samples with the data registries in research projects upon approval by ethical committees. Data registries contain extensive healthcare data and socioeconomic information.
Cross-link between lifestyle, disease, and environmental factors
All Danish and Swedish citizens have a personal identification code - a system that has been in place for more than 50 years. This ID code allows for different registries to be cross-linked for each citizen, allowing for relevant associations between lifestyle, environmental factors, and disease to be discovered. The long history of the registries, and the continuous improvement of the data, which often spans generations, creates value for researchers.
List of biobanks and cohort studies
Biobanks and cohort studies such as COPSAC, TEDDY, and MOS (see Factbox) are used as a base for high-quality microbiome research. For example, COPSAC has two birth mother-child cohorts studies with which detailed clinical phenotyping and collect profiling of various microbiomes from babies and mothers. The world's largest stem cell biobank is located in Greater Copenhagen at Lund University, further enabling basic research.
Download a list of examples of how regional biobanks and cohort studies have advanced microbiome research:
