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Core Facility for Biobank - UiT

Sample Collections and Users

The largest user group of the UiT Core Facility for Biobank is the population surveys conducted by the Department of Community Medicine. These surveys collect information about participants' lifestyle, demographics, and health through questionnaires, physical examinations, and tests. The biobank stores the biological material contributed by the study participants, which can include blood, hair, urine, nails, and feces. This material can then be analyzed and used for research on lifestyle, disease, and health.

Biobanken Sample Collection

The figure above provides an approximate overview of the sample collection from the major population surveys conducted by the Institute of Community Medicine that have been registered in EUTRO. There are still parts of the material that have not been registered in EUTRO and are therefore not included in this overview.

Population Surveys

The Tromsø Study is Norway's most comprehensive and most participated population study. More than 45 000 persons have participated in one or more of the seven surveys conducted since 1974. The research has provided important knowledge about health and disease and contributes to better patient care, nationally and internationally.

The research ranges from the main research area of cardiovascular disease to other major public health challenges such as cancer, diabetes, physical activity and diet, adolescent health, aging and dementia, lung disease, mental health, intoxication, chronic pain, musculoskeletal disorders, oral and dental health, antibiotic resistance to name a few.

Source: The Tromsø Study

 

The Norwegian Women and Cancer Study (NOWAC) is a population-based health study with the main aim of investigating  factors that influence the development and survival of cancer. The overarching goal of NOWAC is to contribute new scientific knowledge to improve the prevention of cancer development and premature death, nationally and globally.

 

Specifically, NOWAC is a prospective cohort study that mainly uses information from questionnaires. Data collection began in 1991 and the latest data collection was obtained in 2017. NOWAC has data from nearly 172 000 women, where 50 000 women have also given blood samples. Some tissue samples were also obtained from some women, including normal breast tissue and breast cancer tumor tissue.

Source: NOWAC

SAMINOR – The Population-based Study on Health and Living Conditions in Regions with Sami and Norwegian Populations

SAMINOR is one of the most important sources of knowledge about health and living conditions in the Sami and northern Norwegian populations. The aims of the study are to gain insight into the prevalence and risk factors for diseases, to prevent illness and to improve healthcare for all.

SAMINOR is a large population-based study on health and living conditions in regions with Sami and Norwegian populations in northern and central Norway. Most municipalities included in SAMINOR are rural, with a relatively small number of inhabitants.

Source: SAMINOR

 

Fit Futures (FF) is a population-based health survey that aims to contribute to increased knowledge about the lifestyle and health of young people. The first data collection (FF1) was conducted during the school year 2010-2011. The participants were 15-18 years old and in their first year of high school. The same participants were invited to the second data collection in Fit Futures (FF2), which was conducted during the school year 2012-2013. The third data collection was conducted during 2021-2022, and the same participants were invited once again.

Source: Fit Futures