PERSIAN cohort biobank: creating a large-scale national resource for biomedical research in Iran

Biobanks are essential for advancing biomedical research by providing access to high-quality biological specimens and associated data. In the Middle East, large-scale biorepositories are limited, hindering regional epidemiological and genetic studies. The PERSIAN Cohort Study Biobank was established to address this gap and support diverse research initiatives in Iran. The Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN), established in 2014, is a nationwide cohort study comprising multiple sub-cohorts. The adult cohort includes Iranian residents aged 35–70 from 18 diverse regions, capturing the country’s ethnic, environmental, and socioeconomic diversity. Upon obtaining informed consent, participants undergo standardized interviews conducted by trained personnel, completing a comprehensive 482-item questionnaire to collect detailed health and lifestyle data. Biological specimens—blood, urine, hair, and nails—are systematically collected and processed according to internationally recognised biobanking standards, ensuring sample integrity. Rigorous quality-assurance and -control checks accompany every step. The study utilizes a decentralized infrastructure with dual storage facilities to prevent sample loss, ensuring long-term preservation and accessibility. Data management is facilitated by a secure, web-based system with robust access controls, safeguarding participant confidentiality and enhancing data reliability. By 2020, enrollment was completed at all participating centers, resulting in the collection of samples from 170,564 participants (55% female, 45% male). The cohort exhibited a diverse age distribution: 22% were aged 35–40 years, 35% were aged 41–50 years, 29% were aged 51–60 years, and 14% were over 60 years old. Geographically, over 75% of participants resided in urban areas, while 25% were from rural regions. The PERSIAN Cohort Biobank now provides Iran—and the wider research community—with a rigorously curated, ethnically and geographically diverse repository of biospecimens. By integrating genetic, environmental, and socioeconomic data from a large national cohort, it establishes a new benchmark for large‑scale biobanking in resource‑limited settings and opens unprecedented opportunities for inclusive, globally relevant health research.