One of the UK’s first tonsil biorepositories has been established at Norwich Research Park to help improve the scientific understanding and treatment for a range of oral health conditions.
Scientists and clinicians at Quadram Institute Bioscience and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital have joined forces to set up the oral biorepository, which will store tissue following tonsillectomy procedures.
The first tissues were stored in early July after a child had their tonsils removed at the Jenny Lind Children’s Hospital in Norwich to treat reoccurring tonsilitis.
The biobank has been established following a grant from the Quadram Institute Clinical Seedcorn Fund which aims to help clinicians develop research ideas with scientists at the Quadram Institute. It is funded by Quadram Institute Bioscience and the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity.
Tonsilitis is one of the most common reasons for children to be admitted to hospital with the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital conducting around 700 tonsillectomies a year.
Prof John Phillips, Consultant Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgeon at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said the biorepository landmark was the first step to opening up the potential for new research studies into a range of oral conditions.
“This is a great collaboration and follows Seedcorn funding last year to set up a biobank for tonsils and a knowledge exchange. Usually, when we remove the tonsils of a child, the tissue goes into medical waste. This is the first step to demonstrate we can store the tissue. In the future, there is the possibility to extract DNA to further our understanding of a number of conditions that affect children and adults.
“There are so many opportunities with this. I am most interested in the causes of tonsilitis and the bacteria that causes it and my consultant colleague Alfred Addison is exploring cancer genetics in adults and treatment outcomes for patients with oral cancers.”
Permission has already been granted to store 32 samples at the Norwich Research Park Biorepository, which will be securely stored and anonymised following patient consent. The team are hoping to collect around 300 samples following Health Research Authority approval which will include tonsils, saliva, cheek and tongue brushings.
Dr Jennifer Ahn-Jarvis, Food and Health Human Studies Lead at Quadram Institute Bioscience, said, “We are very pleased to be working on this project . We are not aware of many biobanks that collect tonsils and this could lead to new research opportunities to help improve patient care in the future. The project highlights the unique benefits of having a university hospital so close to our scientists at the Quadram Institute to get samples from theatres to the lab within minutes. The unique position of the Norwich Research Park Biorepository is an excellent example why our model works and has so much potential for growth.”
Later this year, the Quadram Institute will be hosting an international oral tissue symposium.
The Quadram Institute is a partnership between Quadram Institute Bioscience, the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, University of East Anglia and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
The tonsil biobank is one of seven research projects to receive a share of £250,000 in Seedcorn funding grants from the Norfolk & Norwich Hospitals Charity.
The Charity’s director, Rachel Backshall, said: “Research is the key to unlocking better treatments, earlier diagnoses and improved care for future generations. Everyone who makes a donation or supports our charity enables us to invest in pioneering projects that could make a real difference to patients’ lives.
“We simply couldn’t support research like this without the people who choose to donate to our charity. Their support is helping to drive innovation, expand medical knowledge and create a healthier future for people in Norfolk and beyond.”
To find out for more about supporting N&N Hospitals Charity, email charity@nnuh.nhs.uk
