Biorepository

Biological samples have been collected from subcohorts of women and men within the SIMPLER cohorts. The collected materials include fasting whole blood, serum, plasma, buffy coat, urine, adipose tissue biopsies, and stool samples.

Samples were obtained after overnight fasting and handled according to standardized protocols. During collection, samples were protected from light when required. Serum and plasma samples were aliquoted after cooled centrifugation, and all biological samples are stored in −80 °C freezers to ensure long-term preservation.

Approximately 40,000 saliva DNA samples (from about 8,500 women and 31,500 men) are available for analyses of host genetics and oral microbiota. In addition, the biobank contains approximately 13,000 DNA samples extracted from blood. Because saliva and blood samples overlap for some individuals, the number of unique individuals with DNA samples is approximately 38,000. DNA samples are stored in −20 °C freezers.

In addition, researchers at Örebro University and Örebro University Hospital have collected blood samples (whole blood, plasma, and serum) from participants in the COSM cohort who were diagnosed with incident urological cancers, including prostate, kidney, bladder, and penile cancer. Urine samples have also been collected from prostate cancer patients. To date, samples from approximately 602 incident cancer cases have been collected.