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The HUNT Bio- And Databank
Since 1952 the Norwegian authorities have conducted several large population based health studies. The authorities have also earned the population’s trust througha well-established framework and rigorous routines for protection of personal information. Based on this trust andthe unique system of unambiguous personal identification numbers, HUNT Biosciences offer integration of biobank data with other national registries on clinical informationand medical end-points, as well as genealogical and familylinkage information.
HUNT Research Centre
HUNT is one of the most extensive cohort studies ever conducted in any country and is run by the HUNT Research Center, a department of the Faculty of Medicine at The Norwegian University of Science and Technology. The study includes more than 80% of the population at age 13 and above in the county of North Trøndelag (n=130,000). The population is both homogeneous and stable, making it especially suited for epidemiological genetic research.
HUNT Biobank
HUNT Biobank is a part of HUNT Research Centre andwas established in conjunction with the HUNT 3-study. The Biobank is a state-of-the-art biorepository of 2000m2 (about 21,500 Sq. feet). Blood sampling has followeda strict quality protocol, collecting serum, plasma, buffycoat, immortalized cells for cell line production, specialized tubes for trace metal/elements-analysis, RNA-tubesand urine (Table 1).
HUNT Databank
HUNT Databank contains a unique database of personaland family medical histories collected during three intensivestudies (HUNT 1, 2 and 3) since 1984 (Figure 2.). The HUNT 1 survey (1984-1986) included 76.887 participants, the HUNT2 survey (1995-1997) 74.000 participants, and the HUNT3 survey (2006-08) 60 000 participants. Sixty two percent of the HUNT 2 participants had already also participatedin the HUNT 1 survey, and 61 % of the HUNT 3 participants were also screened in the HUNT 2 survey.
The information provided by HUNT Databank can also belinked to several regional and national registries, like the Medical Birth Register, the Cancer Register, the Cause of Death Register and the Family Register. Repeated examinations and follow-up of a population through almost 30 years make it possible to ascertain changes in health andvital status at individual and family levels over time.
| Material | Individuals | No of aliquots | Storage temp. (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DNA (120,000 as isolated DNA) –also includes a national collection of DNA-samples from other health surveys | 250,000 | 1,500,000 | -20 |
| Serum (HUNT2 and 3) | 115,000 | 1,200,000 | -80/-196 |
| Plasma (HUNT3) | 50,000 | 300,000 | -80/-196 |
| Buffy Coat (HUNT3) | 50,000 | 100,000 | -80/-196 |
| Immortalised cells for cell line production (HUNT3) | 50,000 | 120,000 | -196 |
| Na-Heparin tubes for trace metalls/ trace elements (HUNT3) | 35,000 | 245,000 | -80/-196 |
| RNA (Tempus tubes) | 15,000 | 15,000 | -80 |
| Buccal cells on FTA-paper (Young HUNT3) | 10,000 | 10,000 | Ambient |
| Urine samples (fresh frozen) | 15,000 | 15,000 | -80 |
Table 1. A variety of biological samples and aliquots are stored in HUNT biobank
Figure 1. HUNT 1, 2 and 3 studies collecting data and biomaterial for 25 years
