Seeking Tomorrow's Cure - Middlemore Tissue Bank a reality

NEWS RELEASE 13 April, 2011

Seeking Tomorrow's Cure - Middlemore Tissue Bank a reality.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in New Zealand. Establishment of the Middlemore Tissue Bank is a step forward in advancing medical research into trends showing increased incidence of these diseases in New Zealand.

At a gathering of medical and scientific personnel function in Auckland on Wednesday evening, the Tissue Bank will be officially opened by the Centre for Clinical Research and effective practice (CCRep), in association with the Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB).

"The purpose of the opening is to celebrate establishment of the Tissue Bank which has been three years in development," said CCRep general manager Dr Stuart Ryan. "The official opening coincides with the beginning of sample collection and marks the start of a journey towards being recognised as a nationally significant research facility."

"Our vision to establish a comprehensive Tissue Bank at Middlemore Hospital has been achieved and will result in a collection of human tumour-related and research biospecimens. Biospecimens and associated clinical data are important resources for scientists engaged in translational (molecular) research to develop better diagnostic tools and new drug therapies."

A unique feature of the Tissue Bank is the targeted collection of tissue samples specifically related to the ethnic diversities of the NZ population. Maori are encouraged and supported throughout the process to donate tissue biospecimens for research. The preservation of tumour tissue at Middlemore will allow researchers to investigate the different effects of current and potential new cancer therapies on Maori and Pacific Island peoples, about which there is currently very little known.

"Together with our founding sponsor, the Freemasons Roskill Foundation, we have built and will continue to grow the Middlemore Tissue Bank. In future we look forward to supporting cutting-edge research projects that will deliver real benefits to New Zealand’s unique patient population. It has been a long, long process, but now a properly built and governed facility exists at Middlemore," added Dr Ryan.

CCRep’s vision for the Middlemore Tissue Bank is Seeking Tomorrow's Cure. Ends

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