Cardiovascular Biobanks
Why Biobanks?
Biobanks are extraordinary resources for precision medicine research providing access to extensive biospecimens and longitudinal clinical data from well-characterized populations. They create unique opportunities for novel discovery, advancing our understanding of heart failure and development of therapeutic approaches. Both repositories are managed according to professional standards and serve as invaluable resources for researchers.
We thank patients and families who have generously contributed their biospecimens and data in support of cardiovascular and heart failure research.
Two Biobanks, One Mission
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The SickKids Heart Centre Biobank advances understanding of the genetic, molecular, and environmental mechanisms underlying childhood-onset heart disease and heart failure. Established in 2008, it was the first biorepository of its kind in Ontario and remains among the largest international collections focused on childhood-onset heart disease.
More than 10,800 participants have contributed samples and data, creating a resource for investigating disease progression and outcomes. This supports research in three areas: genetic and environmental causes of heart disease, personalized care, and new therapies.
The biobank has served as a resource for more than 140 research projects through the Cardiovascular Precision Medicine Program.
Contact: heartcentre.biobank@sickkids.ca
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The Peter Munk Cardiac Centre Cardiovascular Biobank turns individual generosity into shared progress because every sample represents someone who chose to help researchers understand heart disease.
One of the first biobanks registered with the Research Ethics Board, it’s overseen by a multidisciplinary committee that reviews every proposed study for quality and validity.
As of 2022, the team had enrolled 17,000 participants from 12 clinics across the University Health Network, building a collection of over 275,000 samples that grows by about 50,000 each year.
That resource helps researchers trace how heart disease progresses, uncover new biomarkers, and identify therapeutic targets, supporting a wide range of clinical trials.
Contact: pmccbiobank@uhn.ca
Biobank Highlights
From new discoveries to growing collections, our biobanks continue to fuel research into childhood and adult heart failure. Explore the latest studies, milestones, and stories below.
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Investment Fuels Innovation in Precision Child Health
SickKids received a significant breakthrough in pediatric research with an $11.7 million award from Genome Canada as part of the Canadian Precision Health Initiative.
Program Capabilities
- Access to biological data and specimens for ethics approval academic or industry led research.
- Deep longitudinal phenotyping and follow-up from childhood through adulthood
- Biobanks experienced in disease modeling using induced pluripotent stem cells
- Established infrastructure and resources to support new research collaborations
- Growing sample collections, ongoing enrollment
Our Research, By the Numbers
A closer look at the numbers behind our biobanks and the impact they’re driving.
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Participants
25,000+
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Total samples
285,000+
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Studies supported
140+
Biobank Researchers
Browse our catalogue of researchers at the SickKids Heart Centre Biobank and the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre Cardiovascular Biobank.