ME/CFS Biobank Austria Cohort

The ME/CFS Biobank Austria has been established as the first national biobank dedicated to collecting biological samples from individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) in Austria. Recognizing the profound functional limitations associated with the disease, the biobank has been specifically designed to facilitate participation of patients across the full spectrum of disease severity, including those who are severely affected and home- or even bedbound.

A central objective of this longitudinal cohort is to collect, process, and store biological samples according to harmonized standard operating procedures that ensure international comparability. The Austrian ME/CFS Biobank is therefore aligned with established ME/CFS biobanks in several European countries, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany, and Iceland. Such harmonization is essential, as differences in sample collection, processing, and storage can significantly affect data quality, reproducibility, and the comparability of research findings across studies.

By integrating into this European biobanking network, the ME/CFS Biobank Austria will facilitate multicentre collaborative research, increase the robustness of scientific findings through larger harmonized cohorts, and accelerate progress in understanding the pathophysiology of ME/CFS. The collected biospecimens and associated clinical data will support research aimed at elucidating disease mechanisms, identifying diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, defining clinically meaningful disease subgroups, and enabling the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.

As scientific knowledge and technologies continue to evolve, future research projects may include the extraction and analysis of genetic and other molecular material (e.g., DNA, RNA, epigenetic markers, transcriptomic or other omics analyses) from the collected biospecimens, subject to appropriate ethical approval and in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.