A cutting-edge biobank at Institut Pasteur accelerating biomedical research through its collection of over 200,000 human samples
Explore the ScienceIn the heart of Paris, within the historic Institut Pasteur, lies a scientific treasure trove that most people never see. This is not a library of books, but a library of life itself: the ICAReB platform.
Meticulously collected and stored human samples—from blood and saliva to stool and tears
Enabling breakthroughs like diagnostic tests for sleeping sickness affecting remote African communities
The Integrated Collections for Adaptive Research in Biomedicine (ICAReB) is far more than a sophisticated storage facility. It is a fully integrated platform that manages the entire life cycle of biological samples, from their ethical collection from volunteers to their distribution to research teams across the globe 5 .
Certification for clinical investigation activities
Quality standard for biobanking operations
The platform's inventory is both vast and diverse, comprising more than 134,000 samples (and, according to some sources, up to 150,000-200,000) 1 6 9 .
These collections include:
The work at ICAReB and the research it enables rely on a sophisticated array of reagents and materials.
| Reagent / Solution | Function in Biobanking & Research |
|---|---|
| EDTA, Heparin, Citrate Tubes | Prevents blood coagulation to preserve plasma and cellular components for analysis 1 |
| Ficoll Solution | A gradient medium used to isolate Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from whole blood, a crucial step in immunology research 1 |
| Paxgene Blood DNA/RNA Tubes | Stabilizes nucleic acids at the moment of collection, ensuring that the genetic material extracted for molecular tests is of high quality 1 |
| DMSO (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) | A cryoprotectant added to cells before freezing. It prevents the formation of damaging ice crystals, allowing for long-term storage in liquid nitrogen 1 |
| Cas13a Protein | The core "molecular scissors" enzyme in the SHERLOCK assay. It is programmed to cut specific RNA sequences from a pathogen, triggering a detectable signal 2 |
| crRNA (CRISPR RNA) | A guide molecule that directs the Cas13a enzyme to its unique target RNA sequence, ensuring the test's high specificity 2 |
| RPA Primers | Used in Recombinase Polymerase Amplification to rapidly amplify (copy) a tiny amount of pathogen DNA/RNA at a constant temperature, making the target easy for Cas13a to find 2 |
Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), a neglected tropical disease transmitted by tsetse flies, is often fatal if not treated promptly. The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to eliminate one form of the disease (gHAT) by 2030 2 .
A research team developed a diagnostic based on SHERLOCK (Specific High-sensitivity Enzymatic Reporter unLOCKing), a CRISPR-based technology 2 .
The SHERLOCK4HAT assay demonstrated exceptional performance
| Assay Target | Parasite Species Detected | Analytical Sensitivity (Limit of Detection) | Key Finding on Clinical Samples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7SLRNA | All Trypanozoon parasites (pan-specific) | 0.1 parasite/μL | Confirmed HAT infection with high specificity (98.4%) 2 |
| TgSGP | T. b. gambiense (causes ~87% of HAT cases) | 0.1 parasite/μL | Correctly discriminated 100% of gHAT infections 2 |
| SRA | T. b. rhodesiense (causes ~13% of HAT cases) | 0.1 parasite/μL | Correctly discriminated 100% of rHAT infections 2 |
Specificity in confirming HAT infection
Correct discrimination of gHAT and rHAT infections
Detection sensitivity (parasites per microliter)
Managing a collection of hundreds of thousands of samples is a monumental logistical task. ICAReB relies on a sophisticated information management system called MBioLIMS BioBanking to track every sample from collection to storage and eventual distribution 1 5 .
The platform also employs advanced preservation methods. Beyond standard freezing, it is testing a novel room-temperature storage method using laser-seal capsules for DNA and RNA, which could revolutionize long-term sample preservation by drastically reducing energy consumption 1 .
| Sample Type | Collection Method | Common Long-Term Preservation |
|---|---|---|
| Serum / Plasma | Blood collection tubes (with clot activator, heparin, etc.) | -80°C freezing 1 |
| Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) | Ficoll purification, resuspended in DMSO | Liquid nitrogen (-196°C) 1 |
| DNA / RNA | Paxgene Blood DNA/RNA Tubes | -80°C freezing or room temperature (in DNA/RNA Shells®) 1 |
| Stool & Urine | Empty or conservative-containing tubes | -80°C freezing 1 |
| Saliva & Swabs | Swabs with or without conservative fluid | -80°C freezing 1 |
The ICAReB platform stands as a powerful testament to the collaborative and forward-looking spirit of modern science.
Connecting researchers worldwide with vital biological resources
Pioneering new methods in sample preservation and analysis
Accelerating discoveries that improve human health globally
By safeguarding a diverse library of human biological samples and their associated data, ICAReB provides researchers with the fundamental tools to unravel the complexities of health and disease. From enabling the development of breakthrough field diagnostics for sleeping sickness to supporting studies on the human immune system, the platform's impact is both global and deeply human.