The Telethon Network of Genetic Biobanks (TNGB)

Telethon has been supporting genetic biobanks in Italy since 1993. Genetics biobanks collect, store and distribute high quality biological materials (nucleic acids, cells and tissue samples) linked to relevant clinical and molecular data from patients affected by genetic diseases. All supported biobanks are subjected to peer review-based evaluation for funding and renewal by the Telethon Scientific Committee.

In 2008, Telethon unified all of its biobanks, creating the first Italian network of genetic biobanks (TNGB). This  provides the scientific community conducting research on genetic diseases with an efficient service of the highest quality standards, according to rigorous ethical principles in compliance with Italian laws and international recommendations.

Over 26,000 samples are currently available from the 10 biobanks participating in the TNGB and can easily be requested via an online catalogue.

Every year, approximately 8,000 samples are collected and 6,000 sample requests from both Italy and abroad are met.

In line with Telethon policies to promote knowledge sharing and global advancement of research, scientific results deriving from the distributed samples are available on request.

Relevant documents related to the TNGB are available here, and include:

• the TGBN Charter
• Standard Operative Procedures (SOPs)
• Agreements between TNGB’s partners and patients associations.