The University of Liverpool, in collaboration with Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital (LHCH), has launched a new global biobank dedicated to collecting and sharing aortic tissue and blood samples.
Funded by a grant from the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust (TADCT), the AortaBank marks a major step forward in aortic disease research.
By bringing together high-quality biological samples from around the world, the initiative aims to accelerate discoveries that could improve diagnosis, treatment and survival rates for patients with aortic conditions.
Aortic dissection is a rare and complex disease. Tissue samples can only be collected at the time of surgery, making access limited and inconsistent.
The AortaBank aims to change this by providing a centralised, open-access platform that enables researchers worldwide to request and share samples and data, removing barriers such as storage and transfer and promoting collaborative progress.
Professor Mark Field, Consultant Aortic Surgeon at LHCH, said "I am proud to announce that TADCT has chosen to fund a Global AortaBank, starting with LHCH. As the largest Aortic Centre in the UK, with well established research protocols, LHCH is well placed to deliver for TADCT. The partnership will provide a biobanking resource to underpin research in aortic science across the world"
With the aorta now officially recognised as an organ, understanding its role in cardiovascular health has become even more critical. Research into the aorta's structure and function, especially in conditions like Marfan Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz, Bicuspid Aortic Valve, and aortic dissection, requires large-scale, diverse and well-preserved samples. The Global AortaBank will make this possible.
Dr Riaz Akhtar, from the School of Engineering is the University of Liverpool project lead and co-lead of the Liverpool Aortic Biomechanics and Biochemistry (LABB) Research Group.
He said: "When we established the LABB Group over 10 years ago, we realised the importance of tissue biobanking for rare but fatal diseases such as aortic dissection. The AortaBank will become a global resource enabling accelerated diagnosis, understanding of disease mechanisms, and the development of targeted therapies. We are proud that TADCT has partnered with Liverpool for this initiative due to our strong track record with research, surgery and public engagement."
LABB is an inter-disciplinary research group which focuses on understanding and treating aortic diseases through novel approaches.
Dr Jill Madine, from the University's Department of Biochemistry, is co-lead for the LABB Group and a co-investigator on the Global AortaBank grant.
Dr Jill Madine and Dr Riaz Akhtar
The LHCH and University of Liverpool partnership, performing over 250 aortic procedures annually, is uniquely placed to lead this work.
LABB researchers recently visited the Aortic Institute at Yale University, led by Dr John Elefteriades, to exchange knowledge and apply best practices in biobanking.
Catherine Fowler, Trustee at the Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust, said
"Investing in the AortaBank reflects our commitment to making a lasting impact in aortic disease research. By removing the logistical burden and encouraging global sharing of samples and data, we're opening the door to faster, more collaborative scientific progress that will benefit patients for generations to come."
Modelled in part on other successful open-access biobanks, such as Brains for Dementia Research, the AortaBank aims to become a vital resource for the global research community.
