Biobank Borealis of Northern Finland

Diagnostic FFPE tissue samples

The sample archive transferred from Pathology department of the Oulu University Hospital includes 1 800 000 pathology tissue and cell samples beginning from 1979. In addition, the pathology archives of four central hospital starting from early 90s are included in the Biobank Borealis collections.

Finnish Maternity Cohort serum samples

The Finnish Maternity Cohort (FMC) collection contains over 2 million serum samples, collected from mothers living in Finland during their pregnancies. The FMC material was transferred to Biobank Borealis in fall 2017. Based on the FMC sample material, hundreds of scientific articles and doctoral dissertations have been published since 1985.

On-going collection of blood samples

A growing collection of blood samples (serum, plasma, whole blood, cell-free DNA) collected from people who have signed a prospective consent to participate in Biobank Borealis.

DNA samples and genomic data

The blood samples collected from people who have signed a prospective consent to participate in Biobank Borealis are being isolated to DNA and GWAS sequences from the FinnGen project (www.finngen.fi) are available to the research community.

Fresh frozen tissue samples

On-going collection of fresh frozen tissue sample pairs of tumor and normal tissue.

Cerebrospinal fluid samples

On-going collection of cerebrospinal samples.

The biobank can assign samples and related data only for high-quality health science research and development.

1. You can make a feasibility request on sample availability by using FINGENIOUS® service. You can also contact Biobank Borealis directly, Biopankkiborealis@ppshp.fi. If needed, you can also get assistance with the study design, particularly with the FMC collection.
2. The sample and data request can be done by using FINGENIOUS® service. You can also contact Biobank Borealis directly, Biopankki@pohde.fi
3. A Scientific Committee will evaluate all sample and data requests.  Specifically, the Scientific Committee evaluates the scientific level, significance and ethicality of the research project. The amount of requested material will be assessed in relation to the number of available samples and the criteria for selecting the samples for the research project are defined. Based on the decision of the Scientific Committee, the Medical Director decides on the transfer of the material.
4. Following a positive decision, a Material transfer agreement (MTA) with the researcher’s organization will be signed, and then the data and samples can be transferred.  At the end of the study, the analyzed results related to the samples and / or the raw data will be returned to the biobank as stated in the Material transfer agreement.
5. Upon completion of the project, the new primary research results will be returned to the biobank for future research use. The results of the study must also be published, e.g., in a scientific peer-reviewed journal.

Chair

Minna Ruddock Docent, Research Director, Northern Finland Birth Cohorts, University of Oulu
(vice Maarit Kangas PhD, Coordinator, Arctic biobank, Northern Finland Birth Cohorts, University of Oulu)

Members

Outi Uimari Docent, Specialist in Gynaecology, Oulu University Hospital (vice Elina Keikkala, PhD, University researcher, Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oulu University Hospital)

Jukka Moilanen Professor, Chief Physician, medical genetics,  Oulu University Hospital  (vice Outi Kuismin, Associate Chief Physician, Oulu University Hospital)

Juha Väyrynen Docent,  University researcher, Specialist in Pathology, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu

Joonas Kauppila Professor, gastrosurgery,  Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu  (vice Juha Saarnio, Professor, gastrosurgery, Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu)

Mirva Saaranen Docent, Faculty of biochemistry and molecular medicine,  University of Oulu (vice Peppi Karppinen, Professor, Dean, Faculty of biochemistry and molecular medicine, University of Oulu)

Jenny Joutsen PhD, Medical Cell Biologist, Wellbeing Services County of Lapland (vice Anna Hyvärinen, MD, PhD, Mehiläinen)

Jussi Koivunen Docent, Specialist in oncology, Oulu University Hospital

Johanna Magga (Vice Chair) Docent, pharmacology, University of Oulu (vice Jukka Hakkola, Professor, pharmacology, University of Oulu)

Eeva-Riitta Savolainen Docent, Head of section, laboratory medicine, Nordlab (vice Katri Pylkäs, Professor, Nordlab and Oulu University)

Presenting official

Raisa Serpi Director of biobank Borealis, Docent, Oulu University Hospital (vice Pia Nyberg, Docent, Planning Manager, Oulu University Hospital)

Secretary

Anne-Mari Moilanen PhD, Project Manager of biobank Borealis, Oulu University Hospital (vice Pia Nyberg, Docent, Planning Manager of biobank Borealis, Oulu University Hospital)

Meetings of the Scientific Committee (last day to submit the material in parentheses):

Spring 2026

29.1. (19.1.)
26.2. (16.2.)
26.3. (16.3.)
23.4. (13.4.)
21.5. (11.5.)
11.6. (1.6.)

Autumn 2025

28.8. (11.8.)
18.9. (1.9.)
16.10. (29.9.)
20.11. (3.11.)
11.12. (24.11.)

The Biobank offers the research community:

• Opportunity to obtain large sets of high-quality sample materials (collected and stored in controlled conditions) linked to e.g., various clinical data, data from national registries and genome data.
• A preliminary feasibility mapping or study of the research materials can be conducted cost-effectively in the early stages of the research project.

In addition to that, Biobank Borealis offers various services related to for example research infrastructures and collaboration possibilities:

• Digitalization of tissue samples: hardware and related services in Whole Slide Imaging/Digital Pathology
• Planning and production of tissue microarray (TMA) blocks
• Processing and analysis of samples
• Histological processing of tissue samples
• Isolated DNA
• Support with study design and registry linkages
• Support with obtaining permissionsFile the Biobank request form for access of FMC samples and data including register based data from biobanks, health registers and hospital archives
  applications for requested ethical and register approvals
• Collection of biobank consents, samples and related data in collaboration with researchers
• Provision of infrastructure and tools related to the storage, management and search of samples and data
• A preliminary feasibility mapping or study of the research materials can be conducted cost-effectively in the early stages of the research project.

The fees for the services are based on a price list negotiated on a case-by-case basis.

In case you have a Finnish social security number, you can submit your signed consent and approval form to Biobank Borealis, or to treatment or research personnel. You can print out the form and return it to the healthcare staff, or send it by mail to the address below (no stamp required, postage is paid). If you have any questions, please contact us via e-mail biopankki@pohde.fi.

Biobank consent and approval

Return address:

Biobank Borealis of Northern Finland
Oulu University Hospital
TUNNUS: 5001312
00003 VASTAUSLÄHETYS

You can use the biobank refusal form to withdraw your consent or to object to the use of your samples and data. You can also prevent their use in future biobank research. Objections must be submitted in writing. The biobank treats an objection as both a withdrawal of consent and an exercise of your right to object. You can return the form to healthcare staff, or send it by mail to the address below (no stamp required, postage is paid).

Biobank refusal

Return address:

Biobank Borealis of Northern Finland
Oulu University Hospital
TUNNUS: 5001312
00003 VASTAUSLÄHETYS

Biobank samples and data are used in ways that protect your privacy. Personal identifiers are replaced with a code, and the key is stored separately, making it nearly impossible to identify individuals.

Identifiable data may be used only when justified, for example, to combine with other research data. Data may also be shared outside the EU/EEA if strict data protection requirements are met.

The legal basis for processing is the Biobank Act, your consent, and the EU GDPR (Articles 6(1)(e) and 9(2)(i)).

Biobak Act 688/2012

EU GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)