The Basel Liver Biobank holds a comprehensive collection of biological samples and associated data from over 4,000 patients enrolled since 2002, with a median of 166 new patients per year. with all major types of liver disease. Samples are available to academic and industry researchers without restrictions on disease type.

Biological Samples

The following sample types are available:

• FFPE (formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded) liver biopsies
• Snap frozen liver biopsies
• OCT-embedded frozen liver biopsies
• Liver resections (flash-frozen, FFPE and OCT)
• Xenografts (biopsy-derived and organoid-derived)
• Protein extracts from liver tissue
• RNA and DNA extracted from liver tissue and blood
• Whole blood, serum and plasma
• Stool samples

Digital Pathology Data

Many biopsies have been digitally scanned and are stored on a dedicated OMERO server. Available stainings include H&E and Sirius Red, as well as additional immunohistochemical stainings. These digital slides can be accessed remotely, enabling computational pathology and AI-based analyses.

Cohort Overview

The cohort covers a broad spectrum of liver diseases. The most frequent diagnoses include hepatitis C (n > 900), alcoholic liver disease (n > 750), cirrhosis (n > 600), MASLD (n > 500), hepatocellular carcinoma (n > 450), cholangiocellular carcinoma (n > 100), hepatitis B (n > 400), and many others including autoimmune liver disease, cholestatic disorders, drug-induced liver injury and primary biliary cholangitis. The median age at inclusion is 54 years.

Sample Availability

Exact numbers per sample type and disease category will be published here shortly. For specific availability queries, please contact us directly.