Global Genes’ podcast, RAREcast, recently interviewed the Coriell Institute for Medical Research’s Deborah Requesens, PhD, about the National Institute for General Medical Science’s Human Genetic Cell Repository at Coriell and the role that biobanking plays in genetic research.
Coriell has maintained this collection for the NIGMS for more than 40 years and in that time it has developed into a crucial resource for scientists around the world. More than 1,000 distinct genetic diseases are represented and that number grows each year. To expand the collection, Coriell staff works with rare disease patients and advocacy groups throughout the year to solicit new samples.
Dr. Requesens is a co-principal investigator of the NIGMS collection and as such steers much of the patient outreach effort.
"It's important (for patients) to know that donating their sample to a repository like ours will support and make research possible," Dr. Requesens said.
You can listen to the entire podcast below.
