Mansoureh Farhangniya - Human and Animal Cell Bank, Iranian Biological Resource Center (IBRC), ACECR, Tehran, Iran
Abolhassan Shahzadeh Fazeli - Human and Animal Cell Bank, Iranian Biological Resource Center (IBRC), ACECR, Tehran, Iran

Immortalized genetic disease bank is a large, prospective national study in Iran to investigate the role of genetic factors,environmental exposures and lifestyle in the causes of monogenic and polygenic genetic disease in all groups of Iranian people. One of the significant aims of this bank is to provide an available resource and archive of biological material that could be applicable for answer to the wide range of scientific questions. Also with establishment of the bank, everyresearcher, Institute and organization will benefit of this bank. DNA is now being used in epidemiologic investigations to study genetic risk factors. The use of biobanks forepidemiological research does not only depend on the availability and quality of the biomaterials, but also on the collectionof associated clinical and personal characteristics. In addition to serving epidemiological studies, high quality biobanks may also serve initiatives for personalized medicine. Data that are medically relevant for the individual donor (i.e. informativeaccording to medical experts about increased, amendable individual risk) may be reported back to that individual. In conclusion, biobanks are gold mines for epidemiological research, provided that they are set up properly, enable multicentre collaboration and are available for use by all scientists and epidemiologist.

cell bank, genetic epidemiology, genetic disease