Genetic testing as part of scientific research
For this research we work together with hospitals around the world. Sometimes this research looks at many pieces of DNA from a large group of children. Sometimes it focuses on one specific piece of DNA in only a few children.
Two examples:
When a new hereditary predisposition for a certain type of childhood cancer is discovered abroad, we can use material from the Biobank to see whether the same predisposition is also found in children in the Netherlands with that type of cancer.
One of our researchers suspects that children with leukemia may have small DNA changes that are already known to affect how white blood cells work. She asks our Biobank for permission to study these changes in the DNA of these children.
At the Máxima Center Biobank, we store medical data and biological material from many children, including DNA information. The children and/or their parents have given written consent for storing and using this material for scientific research. For the use of DNA in research on hereditary predisposition, they give separate consent. You can withdraw this consent at any time.
Researchers from the Máxima Center and from abroad can submit a research proposal to request access to DNA data from the Biobank. A special committee reviews each proposal. If the committee approves it, a contract specifies exactly how the researcher is allowed to use the DNA data.