Overview of Biobanks in Denmark
There are many biobanks in Denmark, but no comprehensive overview. The best overview is provided by the Danish Biobank Register, run by the Danish National Biobank. Here Danish biobanks are invited to participate in the national overview. It is free for the biobanks, but not mandatory. The website ( https://www.danishnationalbiobank.com/danish-biobank-register) contains an overview of the relevant biological samples, and provides links to registers, cross reference samples to specific disease categories, operations, procedures etc. The Danish Biobank Register currently contains information on 25.3 million biological samples from 5.7 million individuals.
To obtain biological samples an approval from a research ethics committee (there are five regional committees and one national committee which deals with larger projects) and the Data Inspection Agency is required. An application is then made to the biobank of interest, who then evaluates the project. In some cases a local collaborator is required to obtain samples.
In the majority of case a Danish non-profit collaborator is required to obtain samples. In general private companies cannot gain access to Danish PIN numbers (CPR numbers) and thereby potentially identify individuals. Non-profit researchers can get access to PIN numbers, if they have a valid reason (such as linkage to e.g. clinical information or other register information).
The Danish National Biobank offers to act as liaison partner in projects where samples are not stored in the Danish National Biobank, but in other biobanks throughout Denmark. It is not a requirement, but an offer to researchers.