The Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study (SwiSCI) Biobank: from concept to reality

Abstract

Abstract Objectives To describe the concept, establishment and the operationalization of the biobank of the Swiss Spinal Cord Injury Cohort Study (SwiSCI), the available biosamples, and demographic and clinical characteristics of study participants. Setting: The SwiSCI biobank is a platform for research within SwiSCI. It collects and processes serum, plasma, PBMCs, RNA, DNA, and urine from three rehabilitation centers. Samples are collected at admission to first rehabilitation and at discharge. Additionly, the biobank provides services to projects nested in SwiSCI or otherclinical trials among Spinal Cord Injury population. Methods Descriptive statistics were used for an overview of available biosamples, study participant characteristics, and comparison of the participating centers. Results Since the biobank establishment 232 (49.5%) individuals agreed to provide biosamples. As of 22nd March 2022, 217 SCI individuals went through first inpatient rehabilitation. Among these, the mean age of study participants was 50.74 (± 17.1) years old, the majority were male (78.34%) with traumatic injury (65.44%) and paraplegic (56.22%), 47.93% with motor-complete injury. The median SCIM score was 29 (IQR 19–49). The percentage of individuals with paired samples at both time points (beginning and end of rehabilitation) ranged from 63.59% (for RNA) to 68.66% (for urine and urine sediment). Conclusions The SwiSCI Biobank is a unique platform designed to serve as a basis for collaborative SCI research, including multi-omics approaches. Longitudinality of biosamples collection and cryopreservation of multiple aliquots per individual are key for studying temporality of associations, assuring reproducibility of research and acheiving adequate sample size.