The MyCode Project is a system-wide biobanking program to collect and bank biological samples (blood, DNA, and tissue) for broad research use; the samples are linkable to data in Geisinger's electronic medical record system and clincial data warehouse to enable genomic and biomarker studies. Biobank participants are enrolled through Geisinger primary care and specialty clinics.

Approximately 90% of patients invited to participate provide consent. In most cases, research blood samples are obtained at the time of clinical blood draws. As of early 2013, more than 40,000 Geisinger patients had consented to participate in the biobanking program, and more than 100,00 samples had been collected and banked.

The MyCode project was recently expanded to include pediatric participants and consent to link parents and children for research purposes. Biobank samples have been used for genetic and biomarker studies related to cardiovascular disease, obesity and metabolic disease, cancer, and other disorders.

For more information abou the MyCode Biobank contact Samantha Fetterolf (snfetterolf@geisinger.edu).