Inside the Indiana Biobank
Giving donors an in-depth look at the biobank's commitment to transforming samples into responsible and impactful research
Research Projects Using Indiana Biobank Samples
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The purpose of the Indiana Biobank is to provide high quality samples and data to medical researchers. This page will explore just a few of the many research projects that have utilized the samples stored at the biobank.
Due to the biobank's affiliation with the Indiana University School of Medicine, many of the researchers who use the biobank's samples are also affiliated with IU. However, the biobanks also provides samples and data to researchers affiliated with other universities across Indiana and the United States. The biobank also partners with researchers working at pharmaceutical or other life sciences companies in order to make progress towards it's goal of finding ways to better treat diseases.
Indiana University School of Medicine Projects
Understanding Heart Failure
Leptin and Adiponectin are hormones produced by fat cells. Although these hormones play an essential role in regulating appetite and insulin sensitivity, it is also suspected that they also play a role in heart disease and heart failure. The purpose of this study is to determine the role that Leptin and Adiponectin play in heart failure by analyzing the levels of these hormones in individuals with heart disease. For this project, blood products called “plasma” and “serum” were provided by biobank participants who are diagnosed with heart failure. These blood products will be analyzed for their Leptin and Adiponectin levels to better understand the role that these hormones play in heart failure.
Improving Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease
Patients who have, or are suspected to have, Alzheimer’s disease often need to undergo an uncomfortable and resource-intensive procedure called a lumbar puncture to diagnose the disease or measure disease progression. The purpose of this study is to determine if it’s possible to use a blood test to diagnosis Alzheimer’s disease and measure disease progression. Blood samples from the Indiana Biobank will be used to help develop this blood test, which will potentially improve the way we detect Alzheimer’s disease.
Understanding the Link Between Sleep Disorders and Parkinson’s Disease
Patients with certain sleep disorders are at an increased risk for developing Parkinson’s disease. However, researchers have yet to fully uncover the link between these sleep disorders and Parkinson’s disease. The goal of this project is to better understand how and why these disorders contribute to Parkinson’s disease. In order to understand this link, researchers will analyze blood samples and plasma from donors to better understand the underlying mechanisms that cause these disorders and Parkinson’s disease.
Ensuring the Accuracy of Research Testing and Data
Testing biological samples is not always as straight forward as taking a patient’s blood and placing it in a machine for analysis. Some tests need to undergo additional validation or extra steps to ensure accuracy. Some projects at the biobank are centered around using the samples stored at the biobank to help ensure or confirm the accuracy of research results.
Research Projects at Other Universities
Understanding Alzheimer’s at The Nano-Level (University of Notre Dame)
One way to think of our bodies is as a collection of cells that work together to carry out all of our vital functions. One of the ways our cells communicate is through very small particles called extracellular vesicles nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have been known to play a role in various symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease, such as cognitive decline. In order to better understand what role these nanoparticles play in Alzheimer’s, a blood product called “plasma” provided by Indiana Biobank donors will be analyzed to assess whether certain Alzheimer’s-related indicators can be found on these nanoparticles.
Detecting Pancreatic Cancer Early (University of Notre Dame)
Even with advances in treatment, late-stage pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis, with most patients dying from the disease with a year. However, if the cancer is detected before it spreads to the surrounding organs or lymph nodes, treatment can help patients live longer with the disease. In some cases, treating the disease early can result in a complete remission of the disease. One of the ways that researchers are trying to detect cancers earlier is through understand how cancers “express” themselves through blood. In this project, plasma samples provided by Indiana Biobank donors will be used to help make progress towards developing a blood test to detect pancreatic cancer at its earlier stages.
Detecting Infectious Diseases (Purdue University)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was important to have accurate and reliable testing available. This testing was crucial to make decisions about traveling, meeting with friends or relatives, and whether we could go into work. The samples at the Indiana Biobank played a role in helping to validate some of these tests, helping to makes sure that accurate and rapid diagnostics tests were available to further prevent the spread of the disease.
Research Projects at Pharmaceutical and Life Science Companies
Developing AI to Lower Heart Attack and Stroke Risk
Lipoprotein(a) is type of lipid (fat) that is found in the body. High levels of Lipoprotein(a) are associated with an increased risk for heart attack or stroke, as having more of the lipoprotein can cause a buildup of plaque in a person’s arteries. The level of Lipoprotein(a) is determined by a person’s genetics. If a person has a condition called Familial Hypercholesterolemia, this means that they are genetically predisposed to high levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) if they also have high levels of Lipoprotein(a). These people are at an even higher risk for a heart attack or stroke. This project will use blood samples from biobank donors to validate an AI model that screens patients for higher levels of Lipoprotein(a). This model could then be used to better identify patients who may have high levels of Lipoprotein(a) which could then be addressed through various treatment options.
Avoiding Stressful Biopsies
Elevated Prostate-Specific antigen (PSA) indicates a problem with a person’s prostate (a gland found only in males). However, it is difficult to determine if an elevated PSA is caused by a benign condition, such as prostatitis or inflammation, or if the elevated PSA is cause by something more serious, such as prostate cancer. To determine the cause of the elevated PSA, a person may have to undergo invasive procedures, such as a biopsy. This study uses urine and blood collect from biobank donors to help develop a urine test that can help specify the cause of elevated PSA. This test would allow patients to avoid having to undergo these invasive biopsies.
Creating Treatments for Rare Diseases
Stargardt disease causes fatty material to buildup on a person’s retina, the part of the eye responsible for sharpness and clarity in our vision. The disease is generally first noticed in childhood and progresses to the point where a person’s vision is severely impaired. Currently, there are no known treatments for Stargardt disease. This project uses biobank donors blood samples to help develop a potential treatment for Stargardt disease. This treatment could prevent blindness in individuals with Stargardt disease.