Enabling research
Many types of research may be done with your samples. Some studies may do genetic research to look at your DNA and genes, including an examination of genetic variants. Others may look at other biomarkers, such as proteins and other products made by your body. Some studies may only be interested in your lifestyle habits, medical history, or environmental exposures.
How the Mass General Brigham Biobank will change medical care
Biomarkers are characteristics of the body that can help doctors diagnose and treat diseases. Biomarkers can be gene mutations or protein expressions. They can also be molecules found in blood, other bodily fluids, or tissue.
The presence of specific biomarkers can provide an early warning of disease. Based on genes or other biomarkers, doctors can screen more aggressively for diseases, and even develop plans to reduce the chances of developing specific diseases.
But our genes and biomarkers are not the only factors that play into whether or not we get diseases. Our individual lifestyles (such as how much we exercise and whether or not we smoke cigarettes) and the things we are exposed to in the areas that we live or work (air pollution, sun exposure etc.) can also increase or diminish our chances of disease, even if we already have the biomarkers that make us susceptible.
All of these factors: genetics, biomarkers, lifestyle, and environment, interact to affect our health. A complete understanding of these risk factors can give doctors and patients the knowledge and power to make changes that are necessary to lead healthier, longer lives.
When doctors can understand the different kinds of risk present in their individual patients, our healthcare can focus on prevention instead of just treatment. This combination of prevention and personalized medicine is the ultimate goal of the Mass General Brigham Biobank. Research will help uncover the risks associated with genes, biomarkers, lifestyle choices and environmental exposures. This research may also help doctors predict which treatments will be most helpful or cause the fewest side effects for each individual patient. This is powerful, innovative, and life-changing information that can transform the way our patients see and manage their own health.