The acute biobank collection can support explorations of novel application of laboratory biomarkers in acute medical care. The population is acute medical presentations to secondary care. Examples of areas currently in exploration are acute cardiovascular presentations and acute kidney injury. The collection consists of whole blood, serum, plasma and citrate plasma samples and associated clinical data. The collection has scope for adjustment to the sample type collection through NCARC’s simple amendment process. This collection aims to promote biomedical research by providing biomaterial to academic and commercial researchers/partners to facilitate high-quality research in establishing a clear diagnosis in patients presenting to hospitals. There is potential to improve the method and time taken for diagnosis with refinement of laboratory processing and biomarker discovery. The biological samples collected will enable a number of different analyses to be performed. This may include (but is not limited to): • Biomarker studies • Immunological studies • Multi-morbidity studies

NCARC has the following samples and data from approximately 60 patients with Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IIM), otherwise known as myositis. Samples: • EDTA whole blood – frozen – for subsequent DNA and plasma extraction • Tempus whole blood – frozen – for subsequent RNA extraction • Extracted serum – processed and frozen – for subsequent use • Muscle biopsy samples – For ‘fresh use’ or processed and frozen for subsequent use Data: • Diagnosis (including sub group – DM, PM, IBM) • Clinical features • Laboratory investigations • Past and current medications • Auto-antibody status • Muscle biopsy details • Manual Muscle Test • Disease activity assessment • Damage index • HAQ • Functionality index and quality of life index • Ethnicity • Month and year of birth • Month and year of disease onset This is a rare autoimmune condition that can affect the muscles and skin of sufferers and result in weakness and disability. The aim of this collection is to promote high quality biomedical research (through access to samples and data) to understand more about this particular disease and identify new ways to improve the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients with IIM. The biological samples collected will enable a number of different analyses to be performed. This may include (but is not limited to): • Gene expression analysis • Biomarker discovery • Immunological and metabolomics studies • Multi-morbidity studies • Functional analysis of immune cells versus cancer cells