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Lions Club BioBank for Vision

Downtown San Diego Lions Club

Downtown San Diego Lions Club BioBank For Vision

A Future with a Cure

A BioBank is a biorepository that stores biological samples for use in research. At the Shiley Eye Institute, the staff of the Downtown San Diego Lions Club BioBank for Vision collects blood, tissue and biological fluid samples from patients with ophthalmic diseases. Moreover, induced pluripotent stem cells from specific individuals also are stored in the BioBank.

Lions Club International emblem celebrating 100 years anniversary from 1922 to 2022 with green trees and blue border.
Downtown San Diego Lions Club

BioBank For Vision

Scientist in a lab coat and blue gloves holding a test tube rack with multiple tubes, working in a laboratory setting.

These biological samples will be utilized to:

  1. Learn about predictors of diseases (biomarkers)
  2. Determine the effectiveness or lack of effectiveness of therapies
  3. Understand disease pathologies
  4. Develop successful cures for blinding eye diseases
Downtown San Diego Lions Club

Vision Brochure

At the Shiley Eye Institute, the staff of the Downtown San Diego Lions Club BioBank for Vision collects blood, tissue, and biological fluid samples from patients with ophthalmic diseases. Moreover, induced pluripotent stem cells from specific individuals also are stored in the BioBank.

BioBank For Vision Brochure
Downtown San Diego Lions Club BioBank For Vision

BioBank Founding

Four scientists in a laboratory, three in white lab coats and one in a teal top, standing in front of lab equipment and storage units.

Lead by Linda Zangwill, Ph.D. and Radha Ayyagari, Ph.D., the Shiley BioBank was launched in 2012 to leverage the latest in bioinformatics technology and genetic sequencing tools to advance the understanding of diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy.

Partnering with the Downtown San Diego Lions Club, the Shiley BioBank was named "Downtown San Diego Lions Club BioBank for Vision" in July 2017 with the goal of accelerating research to prevent and cure blindness.

Demographic, ethnic, medical and risk factor history data are collected from patients using iPads. The details of sample collection, processing, analysis, and exact freezer storage location of samples are recorded in the BioBank database system. Each step of the process ensures that all patient data and samples are stored, tracked, and readily available to share with investigators, along with all linked clinical, demographic, genotype, and phenotype information while maintaining strict confidentiality. The protocol that has been approved by the UC San Diego Institutional Review Board Committee includes all activities including the sample collection, sample processing, and intended use and handling protocol.

The Downtown San Diego Lions Club BioBank for Vision serves as a reference library for each patient. With readily available sample collection, it presents numerous opportunities for investigators to analyze existing data and conduct additional studies based on the most recent scientific knowledge.

In the future, the BioBank will enable investigators to learn about predictors of eye disease, treatment effectiveness, and disease pathology, as well as provide critical new information for developing innovative treatments to prevent and cure the blindness of macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other blinding eye diseases.

Additional Information & Resources
Mission Statement
Engagement with UCSD Health and Campus
Additional Links and Resources

Information about diversity and inclusion is available through multiple venues. First, there are several websites available that provide information about diversity initiatives across the entire campus (diversity.ucsd.edu) and the (School of Medicine). Many departments have their own websites as well. Virtually all departments at UCSD have identified an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) ambassador, typically a faculty member who spearheads diversity-related initiatives in their areas/specialties and also collaborates with various entities across the medical school.

There are several active affinity organizations for UCSD medical students. These include:

‍The Association of Native American Medical Students (ANAMS)
‍The Asian Pacific American Medical Students Association (APAMSA)LGBTQ
Pharmacy and Medical Students (LGBTQ-PhaM)
‍The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA)
‍Medical Students for Justice (MS4J)
‍The Student National Medical Association (SNMA)

‍UCSD also offers a curricular pathway called Program in Medical Education – Health Equity (PRIME - HEq), which part of a system-wide effort at the University of California to train physicians better able to meet the needs of the diverse Californian population who are traditionally underserved by the medical system. PRIME-HEq faculty work with students to identify populations or communities at risk for health disparities. Students will then receive exposure, training, and the opportunity to work with the identified group to further their passion in the area and provide knowledge and skills to better equip the students to improve health equity for the group.