Applying for samples - MDC and MPP

All researchers are welcome to apply for the samples of data and biological material. Our policy is that MDC/MPP should be considered an open resource. Since 2006, we have received more than 1,300 applications. Less than 25 have been rejected. Of these, several have been too broad and not specific enough, have overlapped with other projects, or touched on method development where prospectively collected samples were not necessary. The most common reasons why an application has to be tabled are that ethics permission is missing or that the amount of sample applied for is too large.

Important steps when requesting samples

1. Feel free to make a first preliminary contact.
2. Make sure you have an ethics permission.
3. Minimize the amount of biological material requested.
4. Consider the instructions in the document below if you wish to select variables from the dietary database.
   
   Instructions MDC dietary database (pdf 36,1 kB, new window)
    

5. Send the completed application together with a list in Excel format of desired variables (please see form and files below) to data manager Anders Dahlin and the chairman of the management group, Olle Melander.

   MDC & MPP Requests for biological samples and data (pdf 487 kB, new window) 
   MDC Variable list (pdf 5,94 MB, new window)
   MPP Variable list (pdf 3,17 MB, new window)
   MOS Variable list (pdf 3,42 MB, new window)
    

6. The application is handled by the Steering Committee, see below.
7. A copy of the signed application is returned to the applicant.
8. When applying for biological material, please contact Cecilia Kennbäck (+46 40 331920, cecilia [dot] kennback [at] skane [dot] se (cecilia[dot]kennback[at]skane[dot]se)) or Region Skåne Biobank Unit 47 (BD47) in Lund, RS136BD47 [at] skane [dot] se (RS136BD47[at]skane[dot]se).
9. DNA and -20°C samples are stored and handled by BD47 in Lund. BD47 needs to be informed of the current project number, which is obtained in connection with the approval of the application.
10. Pay the invoice for the cost of handling the application, samples and data.
11. After analysis of samples, any remaining sample quantity must be destroyed or alternatively returned if so agreed.
12. Return analysis results to Anders Dahlin.
13. State in publications that MDC/MPP cohorts have been used. 
14. For DNA analysis, it must also be stated that Region Skåne Biobank BD47 has stored the samples.

Terms and conditions governing the acquisition of samples and data are detailed on the acquisition form.

Steering committee meetings in 2025

During 2025, the management group will conduct six meetings (please see list below). Applications to be processed during a meeting must reach Anders Dahlin one week before the meeting.

Board meetings

January 28
April 2
May 27 
August 26
October 14
December 9

Reporting data back

To guarantee that future generations of researchers will have access to all analysis results, all results must be reported back to the central database. However, the individual researcher owns the right to how the results are to be used. The researcher can indicate if and when they should be released, i.e. when the Steering Committee can decide on applications for other projects. This can also be regulated in connection with the decision of the application. To ensure that data is interpreted correctly and that the descriptions of methods are correct, it is strongly recommended that the researcher who collected the results be offered co-authorship on any additional publications.