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Warnakula, L., Skandhakumar, R., Madanayake, R. , Jayaweera, K. , Abeysinghe, M.R.N. , Zunszain, P.A., Zavos, H.M.S., Rijsdijk, F., Siribaddana, S., Pariante, C.M., Sumathipala, A., & Hotopf, M.
Promoting Research Culture by Sharing evidence Based Research, Best Practices and Innovations, National Health Research Symposium (NHRS) 2017, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Abstract Booklet: National Health Research Symposium 2017, Abstract PP90, (pp. 300).
Background: Bio banking is an innovave concept of storing and sharing biological samples for current and future research. Even though it is well established in the western world, it is still in its infancy stage in many parts of the developing world. Sri Lankan Twin Registry Bio bank (SLTR-B) is a unique repository consisng of DNA and serum samples of twins and a matching comparave sample of singletons from Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Aims/s: To establish the infrastructure within the country to carry out biomedical and future genecs studies such as genome wide associaon studies and epigenecs
Methods: SLTR-B was established in 2012 as a component of the Colombo Twin and Singleton follow-up study (COTASS-2) conducted by the Instute for Research and Development, Sri Lanka in collaboraon with Kings College London. Ethical clearance for this project was obtained from University of Sri Jayewardenepura and Kings College London, UK. Informed wrien consent was obtained from parcipants to store their DNA and serum in the bio bank. Whole blood for DNA extracon and serum separaon were collected in separate vacutainers. Serum (separated within four hours of collecon) and extracted DNA was stored at -80°C freezer condions. Quality and integrity analysis were done for all extracted DNA samples.
Results: 2488 and 872 DNA samples and 2583 and 900 serum samples are available from twins and singletons respecvely.
Conclusion: SLTR-B is the first of its kind in the region and aims to address gaps in health and genecs research in a low and middle income country. Stored serum and DNA will be used for inflammatory marker research and future genec studies (genome wide associaon studies and epigenecs) respecvely aer obtaining fresh consent from parcipants for each study. This repository is a valuable resource for future research on complex diseases in the region.