CCFA Partners has been successful for survey-based research for many years. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not it would be feasible to use the CCFA Partners Internet-based platform to collect biologic or biospecimen data such as saliva, blood and stool samples. We found that nearly 40% of participants contributed saliva and about 25% contributed blood samples. The majority of participants who contributed saliva or blood also sent a stool sample. All samples provided sufficient quantity and quality of material for genetic testing. Saliva and blood samples were genotyped for common mutations ("single nucleotide polymorphisms") known to be associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Stool samples were analyzed for bacterial content, which may be related to inflammatory bowel disease. Overall, this study supports that it is feasible to collect biospecimens using an Internet-based platform and will be successful on a larger scale to be used for many different types of research.

A biobank is a collection of samples from patients (including spit, stool or blood). Biobanks are important for understanding risk factors for developing disease or for severity of disease. The purpose of this study was to understand how patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) feel about the continued use of their samples after the biobank has closed. A total of 26 CCFA Partners members participated in a phone interview about the risks and benefits of their samples being used for research, and the results of these conversations were used to create a survey. The survey included three primary themes: 1) degree to which samples remain an individual's property after donation; 2) samples are a good that can be sold; and 3) the belief that results from sample analysis could lead to discrimination. About 1,000 CCFA Partners participants completed the survey online. Most participants expressed the desire to know what would happen to their samples and genetic information if the biobank closed. Most were comfortable with the samples and genetic information being destroyed. Most were also comfortable donating their samples and genetic information to IBD research. Most participants were not comfortable with selling their samples and genetic information after the biobank closes. We learned that it is important for researchers to create a plan for samples if the biobank closes and to communicate this plan to the participant at the beginning of the study.