title: [Crucial role of patients in biobanking: national and international examples].
abstract: Biobanks are important for biomedical research into human diseases. Research physicians are often in need of human tissue and cells to conduct their research. However, they are often faced with the challenge of obtaining samples from a sufficient number of patients. Collaborating with patient organizations--especially for rare diseases--can lead to surprising results. The efforts of patient organizations can be crucial since they are well positioned to bring together patients and their samples, to initiate collaboration and share data for research and to find ways of generating long-term funding for research and biobanks.
authors.affiliation: Vereniging Samenwerkende Ouder- en Patiëntenorganisaties, Soest.
authors.forename: Tessa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: van der Valk
authors.forename: Cees
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smit
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D015510:Clinical Medicine; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D010358:Patient Participation; D035583:Rare Diseases; D014015:Tissue Banks / Q000458:organization & administration*