The Open Biobank is the only combined Open Science biobank repository and patient registry in the world. Driven by patient partnerships, the Open Biobank is involved in more than 45 scientific, public, and private collaborations with industry leaders, biotech startups, and academic partners. The database currently hosts and distributes more than 120 unique patient-derived cell lines including specific mutations and CRISPR-repaired control lines. All data are available to investigators around the world.  

In addition to a biospecimen inventory, clinical, imaging and genetic data are stored in the Open Biobank. All data stored in the Open Biobank are de-identified to protect the privacy of participants. 

The Open Biobank biospecimen samples include: 

• Blood and derived products (e.g. plasma, RNA, serum, PBMCs) 

• Cerebrospinal fluid 

• Brain tissue (including grey matter, white matter, deep grey, and spinal cord) 

• Skeletal muscle 

• Peripheral nerve 

• Stool and urine 

• Saliva 

• Skin 

Anyone can participate in the Open Biobank project.  

• I want to donate data/samples: we welcome participation from both healthy patients and those diagnosed with a neurological disease. Samples and data can now also be donated posthumously.  

Click here to learn more about donating samples, or cbig.mni [at] mcgill.ca (contact us) to set up an appointment at the Neuro. 

• I want to use the Open Biobank data, specimens or cell lines in my research: C-BIG data are available to anyone who needs material for building a study or project, around the world. The project will need to be approved by the Tissue and Data Committee before an Open Transfer Agreement can be issued.  

Click here to learn more about using the Open Biobank resources for research, or contact us at cbig.mni [at] mcgill.ca. 

Anyone doing research in the neurological disease space can use the data. There is an ‘Open’ portal for those patients who have consented for Open Science, and a registered portal for sensitive information. We currently have users from academia, research institutions, and industry. All projects using controlled Open Biobank data or materials must be approved by the Tissue and Data Committee.