Neonatologist Dr. Pascal Lavoie’s recently published research could eventually lead to therapeutic interventions for sepsis, lung disease, and other complications in premature newborns. We were able to connect with him and the team about the Preemie Biobank samples used to in his research, and how the Preemie Biobank is a valuable resource for other researchers as well.
What is the BC Women’s Hospital Preemie BioBank?
The BC Women’s Hospital Preemie Biobank was the first of its kind in Canada and funded by a Catalyst Grant from the Women’s Health Research Institute in 2018. Dr. Pascal Lavoie’s team, in collaboration with the BC Children’s Hospital BioBank, created the BCWH Preemie Biobank with the goal of acting as a biological ‘library’ of samples from premature births and babies to help fuel future ethically-approved research projects.
The Preemie Biobank would not be possible without the help of the incredible labour and delivery nursing staff at BCWH. Their willingness to go out of their way to collect these cord blood samples from preterm deliveries on top of their already demanding careers is incredible.
Why is this research important?
Premature baby cells are unique, because they are still in their early developmental stage. These premature cells act as the first building blocks and are, therefore, malleable and could lead to unexpected discoveries, not just for babies but well into adulthood.
Preterm samples such as cord blood and placenta are very difficult to access due to the nature of these urgent deliveries, so these groups are often underrepresented in biobanks, limiting the potential for discovery research that can specifically benefit these patients
“[It’s] research that we hope will bring solutions to some of the medical complications that premature babies encounter shortly after they’re born,” said Lavoie.
How has the Preemie Biobank helped your research?
Samples collected as part of the BC Women’s Hospital preemie biobank initiative have helped support many studies over the years, including studies to understand why premature babies are more vulnerable to infections, about ways to improve early nutrition in premature babies and develop new tests to help predict complications linked to a premature birth.
How can other researchers access samples from the Preemie Biobank?
Researchers locally and internationally can inquire about these ready-to-use samples to support their research at biobank@cw.bc.ca. Preterm cord blood samples are a precious resource that continues to be collected and accessed by researchers, at the time of writing this letter, There were over 60 preterm cord blood samples available (>350 plasma aliquots and 120 mononuclear cell aliquots) and about 25 matched preterm placenta samples from deliveries less than 33 weeks’ gestation, available for studies.
What are the next steps for the Preemie Biobank?
While the Preemie Biobank started as a collection of preterm cord blood samples, it has expanded to include matching preterm placentas and sometimes maternal blood as well! One in six premature babies in Canada will develop a serious blood born infection in their first two to four weeks of life, and we hope to make sure more parents know this research is an option, so that researchers can continue to work on treatment and preventions for this vulnerable population group.