What is Biobank?
Biobank is a database of blood samples and health information to be used for present and future research projects. Using genetic information obtained from blood samples along with health information, scientists can gain a better understanding of the factors that cause disease. This understanding may then lead to interventions that prevent a disease from occurring or to new targets for treating a disease.

Why should you participate in Biobank?
By volunteering for Biobank you are contributing to research that may create new means of preventing and treating disorders from which you, your family, or your friends may suffer. Heart disease, cancer, asthma diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease are just a few of the conditions Biobank may help scientists understand.

How do you volunteer for Biobank?
You may volunteer for Biobank whenever you have an appointment with your doctor at Mount Sinai. Once you tell your doctor or the front desk staff that you are interested, they will call the Biobank recruiter to meet with you.

Once you speak with the recruiter, do you have to participate?
No. The recruiter will explain Biobank and answer any questions you have. If you change your mind at anytime, even years from now, your blood sample will be destroyed and your information will be permanently removed from the Biobank database.

If you volunteer, what will be asked of you?
After the recruiter explains Biobank and answers your questions, you will be asked to sign a "Research Participation Information Sheet." You will also be given a questionnaire, which will take approximately fifteen minutes. You will then have a small amount of blood drawn from a vein in your arm. The blood may be drawn at the same time as your routine blood draw for medical care, as part of your participation in another Mount Sinai research study, or solely for Biobank purposes.

How will Biobank protect your privacy?
In storage and when shared with researchers, your samples and health information will only be identified by a code. No names or other identifying information will be shared with anyone without your prior approval.