HMC Launches New Phase of Human Tissue Biobank

Doha, October 7, 2026 : The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology (DLMP) at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has announced the launch of an advanced phase of its Human Tissue Biobank, implemented in collaboration with the Qatar Precision Health Institute (QPHI).

This strategic step builds on the achievements of the project's first phase, expanding the Biobank's capabilities to include the storage and management of freshly removed biological tissue in support of clinical care and biomedical research.

The new phase follows the successful establishment and operation of the Biobank's first phase, which included developing the regulatory and operational frameworks and infrastructure required to store and manage tissue specimens in line with approved quality and governance standards.

Human tissue biobanks are considered a fundamental component of modern healthcare and research systems, providing high-quality biological specimens and associated data within advanced governance and regulatory frameworks. These resources support disease diagnosis, the development of personalized treatments, biomarker discovery, and a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms, while accelerating applied and translational research that ultimately improves healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

Dr. Einas Al Kuwari, Chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at HMC, said that since the launch of the Tissue Biobank's first phase, the team has focused on establishing an integrated system for storing and managing formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue specimens to support clinical services and approved research projects. She said this phase achieved significant results, with the Biobank now housing at least 700,000 paraffin blocks and 2.6 million tissue slides, including at least 250,000 immunohistochemistry slides, while supporting at least 58 research applications during its first phase, including approved projects and others that have undergone or are undergoing review by HMC's Medical Research Center.

Dr. Al Kuwari said that, having established this strong foundation, HMC is now preparing for a more advanced phase of the Biobank's work, expanding its services to include the storage and management of freshly resected biological tissue, opening broader opportunities for advanced diagnostics, precision medicine, and biomedical and translational research.

This new phase represents a significant expansion of the Biobank's capabilities, enabling the handling of freshly resected biological tissue through clear, structured pathways for clinical and research use, while maintaining a clear separation between clinical and research pathways and full adherence to approved ethical and regulatory frameworks.

On the clinical pathway, Dr. Al Kuwari explained that the Biobank will enable the storage of freshly resected tissue based on clinical needs and physicians' requests, supporting advanced molecular and genomic testing, next-generation sequencing (NGS), precision oncology programs, specialized predictive assays, and modern cellular and tissue-based diagnostic technologies. She said these capabilities will help improve the accuracy of treatment decisions and expand access to advanced molecular and genomic testing, supporting more advanced diagnostic solutions as part of the evolving landscape of personalized healthcare and precision medicine.

On the research end, the new phase provides advanced capabilities for storing freshly resected tissue specimens for approved research projects, offering researchers a national platform to support biomedical and translational research. All studies will continue to undergo ethical and regulatory review through the Medical Research Center, in accordance with HMC's institutional policies and regulations.

The Human Tissue Biobank continues to uphold the highest ethical and regulatory standards around informed consent, data privacy, specimen quality and integrity, and compliance with approved regulations and policies. The Biobank complements HMC's existing research governance framework and does not replace or bypass the established ethical approval and regulatory oversight managed by the Medical Research Center.

The transition to this advanced phase reflects close collaboration between HMC and QPHI in developing Qatar's national infrastructure for precision medicine and biomedical research. The Biobank's new capabilities are expected to enable advanced diagnostic technologies, expand translational research, and accelerate the development and implementation of precision medicine solutions — addressing current and future healthcare needs and strengthening Qatar's position in biomedical research and personalized healthcare.

Source: QNA