Who We Are
The Biospecimen Exchange for Neurological Disorders (BioSEND) was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) in 2015 to support studies on etiology, disease progression, and therapeutic development for a wide array of neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases and disorders. BioSEND provides critical infrastructure and expertise for scientists and clinicians studying these disorders, as well as a vital resource for biomarker research.
Meet the BioSEND teamOur Mission
BioSEND serves as the critical bridge between patients in the clinic and researchers seeking to advance our understanding of neurological diseases and disorders, with the goal of developing new and improved treatments.
Empowering Research Through Collaborations
BioSEND receives funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through a cooperative agreement (U24 NS095871). We thank contributing researchers who collected the samples available through BioSEND, as well as patients and their families, whose help and participation made this work possible.
In addition to our partnership with NINDS, BioSEND actively collaborates with sister repository the National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD). This collaboration facilitates the exchange of data and samples, enriching the research experience and propelling progress in dementia research. Learn about NCRAD at NCRAD.org.
Our History
BioSEND was funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in 2015. Since then, we have embarked on a journey of exploration, collaboration, and innovation. Over the last decade, our repository has grown significantly, amassing a vast collection of invaluable clinical and biological samples.
The Beginning
Indiana University became the home of the NINDS biomarker biorepository in 2015, and plans were developed to transfer more than 200,000 samples collected through the Parkinson's Disease Biomarkers Program (PDBP) to the newly established BioSEND in 2016. This transfer was followed shortly by several Huntington's disease studies in 2016 and the launch of several studies of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), which continue to contribute samples to BioSEND to this day.
Evolution and Expansion
In 2018, BioSEND provided DNA and RNA from more than 2,000 individuals to the Accelerating Medicines Partnership for Parkinson's Disease (AMP-PD) to support deep molecular characterization of Parkinson's Disease. That same year, BioSEND expanded to include studies of Spinocerebellar Ataxia, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. This set the stage for the the expansion of BioSEND support to a wider array of neurological disorders as well as collaborations with not-for-profit organizations.
Broadening Horizons
BioSEND has continued to grow and adapt to meet the changing needs of the research community. While continuing our commitment to support the exciting new developments in biomarkers for PD and LBD, BioSEND has expanded in scope to support the many Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) programs launched through Congressional initiatives. These studies, which rely heavily on remote sample collection, mark a new era of biomarker research.