German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)

In February 2016, the biobanking infrastructure of the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) in Munich decided to use the CentraXX Biobank Module (CBB) as part of the tender for an IT solution for a Central Biobank Register (ZBR). The centralized IT system, which is used for data integration and for searching and creating statistics and reports, was provided by KAIROS at the Helmholtz Center in Munich in the same year.

The DZIF is an association of a total of 35 research institutions at seven locations throughout Germany. The aim of the DZIF network is to coordinate and strategically align translational infection research in order to develop new diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic methods for the treatment of infectious diseases.

The ZBR was established to collect data on all DZIF projects/studies in which human biosamples are collected in a complete system with an integrated search tool. This allows for cross-site and cross-project research. Since the actual sample collection, processing, storage and retrieval takes place at the respective partner locations and these use individual software solutions, CentraXX’s task in its function as a data warehouse is to support the processes for transferring information to the head office and to provide an overview of all biosamples and their properties in the overall context.

CentraXX not only handles the structured storage and administration of all biosample data, but also integrates the extracts from the clinical data specified in the minimum data set of the ZBR for the individual studies, taking into account the specified data protection requirements. The pilot project for importing data and linking DZIF sites to the ZBR is the transplant cohort, which collects and stores biosamples and medical data as part of the research unit “Infections in the immunocompromised host”.

All DZIF sites will gradually be connected to the system – it is an advantage that CentraXX solutions are already in use at many of them.

The DZIF is one of the six German Centers for Health Research (DZG), three of which have already decided to use CentraXX. In addition to DZIF, these are the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) and the German Center for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK).

Once again, this project underscores KAIROS GmbH’s claim to continuously develop CentraXX into one of the leading research portals.

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