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7 September, 2020 AgreementsNews

A group of prestigious researchers from the University of Miami and the Instituto Distrital de Ciencia, Biotecnología e Innovación en Salud (IDCBIS), of the Mayor's Office of Bogota, are working together on the treatment of type I diabetes in Colombia.

Camillo Ricordi, Director of the Diabetes Research Institute; Diego Correa, Assistant Professor at the Miller School of Medicine of the University of Miami; Bernardo Camacho, Director of IDCBIS and Luis Gonzalo Morales Sánchez, Secretary of Health, met in the country's capital to exchange knowledge and experiences on the treatment of the disease.

"These prestigious scientists will share with us successful techniques and technologies for the transplantation of pancreatic islets in Type I Diabetes; what we are looking for is that patients, especially children and adolescents are not dependent on insulin and have a better quality of life," explained Bernardo Camacho, director of the IDCBIS.

In the last decade, important clinical evidence has been generated that shows the safety and efficacy of this treatment based on cell therapy, especially from the experience of the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) of the Miller School of Medicine of the University of Miami. This group, led by Dr. Camllo Ricordi, has been the world pioneer in pancreatic islet transplantation, with more than 25 years of experience in the application of this procedure.

Pancreatic Islet Transplantation can be improved ostensibly with the help of other therapies, on which the Cell Therapy Unit of IDCBIS is working.




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25 March, 2020 Newsof Blood

The need for blood components in the public health system does not stop and the District Blood Bank IDCBIS, linked to the District Health Secretariat of Bogota, has taken some actions to maintain reserves that will improve the lives of many patients.

Those interested who register in the following form will be contacted to be scheduled and picked up at their homes. They will be able to make the donation at the headquarters of the IDCBIS District Blood Bank, and once the process is completed, they will be taken back to their homes.

One of the most frequently asked questions due to the current situation in coronavirus control is: is donating blood safe? The answer is yes.

The professionals of the District Blood Bank follow biosafety standards such as the use of gloves, gowns, caps and masks; the supplies are sterile and the donation areas are constantly disinfected. These measures are not new, as they have always been essential in the collection process.

Additionally, crowds are avoided at the donation points and any doubts that may arise during telephone or email contact with donors are solved. There are also open channels of communication with the public on social networks: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as @IDCBIS.

The donations that have been made so far are of great importance, since they allow maintaining reserves of vital blood components for patients in public hospitals in the district. Different clinical situations such as complications in childbirth, treatment of serious blood diseases, surgeries, among others, require blood components in certain conditions.

The call for generous, supportive and altruistic blood donors is extended so that we can face the decrease in the collection due to the measures that are being carried out in the capital.

Donation requirements

- Men can donate every 3 months and women every 4 months.

- Present an identification document

- Be between 18 and 65 years old

- Minimum weight 50 kilos

- Not having had flu symptoms such as: fever, cough, body aches, sore throat, in the last 15 days.

- Not having suffered from hepatitis after 10 years of age

- Not having ingested antibiotics in the last 15 days

- Not having ingested antiparasitics in the last 30 days.

- If you have tattoos, permanent makeup or piercings, more than 6 months have passed since their application.

- Not pregnant

- If you are breastfeeding, that your son or daughter is older than one year.

Myths of blood donation

- Fear of lowered defenses

Blood donation has no negative effect on the immune system. 

- Fear of gaining or losing weight

The act of donation is not related to weight change. However, the person believes that in order to replenish the extracted blood, he/she must increase food intake, which is not necessary.

As a recommendation, a balanced diet rich in iron-containing foods should be followed after donating.

- Fear of becoming anemic

Hemoglobin is tested prior to donation. Red blood cells are replenished in approximately 120 days.

It is recommended that the donor complies with the established times between each donation and eats a balanced diet.

Fear of fainting or becoming weak

Normally the body compensates for the volume of blood withdrawn, if the person is in good health and complies with the donation requirements and has no physiological alterations.

It is recommended to drink at least 400 ml of water before the donation and to continue drinking enough liquids on the day of the donation.


Register as blood donor by clicking here!

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27 September, 2019 NewsAwards

A few months ago, during her time at IDCBIS, Yurani, the mother of Maryuris, a girl whose life was saved by a blood-forming cell transplant two years ago, pre-registered for DarCélulas.

Maryuris and Yurani were interviewed by the media, as more than 20 umbilical cord blood units - processed at the IDCBIS Public Cord Blood Bank - have been transplanted. They gave testimony of a successful transplant.

Maternal umbilical cord blood contains cells capable of producing blood components, these are called hematopoietic progenitor cells, which, when transplanted into a patient with a serious blood disease, can generate new blood components. A process similar to sowing a seed capable of creating new plants.

Maryuris recovered from medullary aplasia, a disease in which the bone marrow stops producing the different blood components. Thanks to an umbilical cord blood cell transplant performed in Bogota in 2017.

Mayuris can now do her favorite activities such as skateboarding. It was all possible thanks to an altruistic donation of umbilical cord cells, which were processed and stored at the IDCBIS Public Cord Blood Bank.

Yurani expressed her willingness to be a blood-forming cell donor, pre-registering with DarCélulas at www.idcbis.org.co/darcelulas because she hopes, at some point, to be able to help someone who is in a similar situation to the one her daughter experienced a few years ago.


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13 September, 2019 InvestigationNews

From 2017 date of creation of the District Institute of Science Biotechnology and Innovation in Health, IDCBIS, linked to the Health Sector of the Capital District, six publications have been made in indexed journals. Each one has been developed based on the lines of research in advanced therapies, regenerative medicine and transfusion medicine. 

The efforts of IDCBIS researchers have resulted in the generation of impact knowledge, since the indexed journals are high quality research publications that are listed in databases that can be consulted worldwide.

IDCBIS is currently a national and international reference in its fields of performance. A very important part of the Institute's progress is due to the research conducted by the GIMTTyC group, recently categorized as Group A by Colciencias.

Before becoming the IDCBIS, the institution was recognized as a District Hemocenter, and research in transfusion medicine was carried out. Since then, research progress has become more and more frequent at the Institute, using the curiosity to generate new knowledge based on experience as a driving force. These processes have been achieved thanks to the collaboration of researchers with high degrees of specialization in their areas.

You may be interested in: Research team of the Public Cord Blood Bank IDCBIS makes important publication in the scientific journal Human Immunogoly

The following is a tour of published research that has resulted in a breakthrough in treatment for patients in need of skin or blood-forming cell transplants.

1 Gamma ray skin preservation study

In this study, Dr. Bernardo Camacho, director of the Institute, and Dr. Linda Guerrero, director of the IDCBIS Skin Bank, conducted a study in which gamma ray irradiation is tested on skin used in transplants.

This work was developed comparing irradiated and non-irradiated transplanted skin with observation of the results. As a conclusion it was found that skin irradiated with gamma rays contributes to close wounds with higher quality and safety when transplanted.

2 Increased chances of cord blood cell transplantation through a new collection strategy.

Donated units of cord blood forming cells can be used in transplantation to help patients with severe blood diseases, for this reason they are collected in the Public Cord Blood Bank. Not all units can be used as some do not meet the required number of nucleated cells. 

In this investigation, developed by the team of the Public Cord Blood Bank, procurement methods were tested with which a greater amount of nucleated cells can be obtained for each unit, giving each donation a greater chance of becoming a possible transplant.

3 Improved procedure for thawing umbilical cord blood units

Cord blood cells are frozen at -196 degrees Celsius for preservation. In the thawing process prior to transplantation, there is a risk of significant cell loss. In the development of this study, a method is described for thawing the units in order to maintain a greater amount of cells.

4 Feasibility study thanks to segments in cord blood units

The umbilical cord blood units that are processed have small segments attached to them, with which tests can be done to verify that the respective unit is suitable for transplantation. In this research we can find an example of how the quality of a unit can be verified before being thawed thanks to these segments, taking into account some margins of error that are emphasized.

5 Identification of a genetic variant found in Colombia

Through this research conducted by the IDCBIS Public Cord Blood Bank team, a genetic variant reported for the first time from Colombia was discovered. This discovery is of great importance, since knowing new variants allows to make predictions worldwide about which population could have a higher probability of a donor for certain patients.

6 Study of genes in umbilical cord blood units donated by Colombian mothers

This study reveals gene frequencies in umbilical cord blood units in Colombia that allow us to identify characteristics in our population, with which we can improve the search processes for potential donors; this in order to help patients with serious blood diseases.

In addition to the publications carried out, two new research studies have been submitted for publication: one by the IDCBIS Advanced Therapies Unit to the journal Stem Cells International and another submitted by the IDCBIS Public Cord Blood Bank team to the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.


  1. Comparison of different skin preservation methods with gamma irradiation – Published in Burns in 2017
  2. A new strategy for umbilical cord blood collection developed atthe first Colombian public cord blood bank increases totalnucleated cell content – Published in Transfusion in 2017
  3. Original title: Improved cord blood thawing procedure enhances the reproducibility and correlation between flow cytometry CD34+ cell viability and clonogenicity assays- Published in cytotherapy in 2018. 
  4. Cord blood attached-segments are not homogeneous in post-thaw CD34+ cell viability and clonogenicity – Published in Cryobiology in 2018
  5. Identification of the novel HLA-DRB1 allele, DRB1*14:183, in a Colombian umbilical cord blood bank donor – Published in Wiley HLA in 2018
  6. HLA -A,-B,-C  and -DQB1 allele and haplotypofrequencies of 1463 umbilical cord blood units typed in high from Bogotá, colombia. – Published in Human Immunology in 2019

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14 August, 2019 CellsInvestigationNews

7 out of 10 patients who need a blood-forming cell transplant (bone marrow) do not find a compatible donor in their family, therefore it is necessary to look for this compatibility in unrelated people. Genetic similarity is necessary for the procedure to be successful.

The District Institute of Science, Biotechnology and Innovation in Health IDCBIS, linked to the Health Sector of the Capital District, is carrying out a database of potential donors who could save the lives of patients with diseases such as leukemia, among other serious blood diseases. 

The only way to find a compatible, non-family donor is to have previously identified the genetic characteristics of a population and store them in a database, so that the patient's medical team can search for a possible donor. This database is called the National Registry of Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell Donors.

This type of initiative is already being carried out in other countries such as Japan, New Zealand, the United States and more. In Latin America it has been carried out in Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. For the first time Colombia will have a donor registry.

Since January 21, 2019, the DarCélulas program began, in which the processes of pre-registration and registration to the Registry were organized, as well as the communication to invite people interested in becoming potential donors in this first stage, subsequently when there is an optimal number of donors, the specialists who attend patients who require a transplant will be able to consult the Registry.  

You may be interested in: First 20 transplants with umbilical cord blood cells donated by Colombian mothers to IDCBIS's Public Cord Blood Bank

In the online pre-registration stage, through the web page www.idcbis.org.co, Colombians can find out much more about the process, as well as schedule an appointment for registration, then to formalize the registration the interested party attends in person at the IDCBIS District Blood Bank where blood samples will be taken to know their genetic information and to register it in the database that is being built. For now the registration process is only available in Bogota.

The resulting database in all registries at international level is available for searches, therefore there have already been successful cases of transplantation in Colombia, thanks to donors registered in other countries. This initiative in our country would give us the possibility of having Colombian donors, with a greater possibility of being compatible with patients in the same territory, since there is a greater possibility of having similar genetic characteristics.

*On August 22nd at 11:00 a.m. the presenter and journalist, Carlos Calero who is a brand ambassador for DarCélulas will attend the IDCBIS District Blood Bank to register for the program and explain to the public the importance of donating blood-forming cells. 


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27 June, 2019 Newsof Blood

The District Blood Bank of the IDCBIS, linked to the Health Sector of the Capital District, makes a priority call for donors of blood group O, Rh + and -, to supply the needs of blood components for patients of the Public Hospital Network of Bogota, since currently there are 1,500 donors of this blood group per month and the need is equivalent to 4,500.

Various factors such as rain, respiratory diseases and mid-year vacations generate a decrease in blood donations and affect the supply of the District Blood Bank IDCBIS, which supplies blood components primarily to public hospitals in the district.
Donations of blood group O - are necessary, since these units are the first to be administered when accidents occur, taking into account that they can be received by people of any other group: A, B, AB and O. On the other hand, there is usually a shortage of O + units, since approximately 50% of the population belongs to this blood group.

The District Institute of Science, Biotechnology and Innovation in Health, IDCBIS, calls on citizens to donate blood. "The blood that is donated does not have a price, it has a value: life itself", says Dr. Bernardo Camacho, director of the Institute, who requests the solidarity of Bogotanos between 18 and 65 years of age in good health and weighing more than 50 kg.

Next weekend the IDCBIS District Blood Bank will be with its mobile units in the following points, waiting for the collaboration of all citizens:

Friday, June 28, 2019

- District Health Secretariat
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

- SuperCADE Americas
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sábado 29 de junio de 2019

- International Charismatic Mission - G12
Cra. 30 with Américas Av.
4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Sunday, June 30, 2019

- International Charismatic Mission - G12
Cra. 30 with Américas Av.
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- 20 de Julio Church
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

– Hospital La Victoria
Dg 39 south # 3-20 east
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Monday, July 1, 2019

- Tunal Park - Entrance 2
9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.


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21 June, 2019 InvestigationNews

The twentieth unit of umbilical cord blood cells obtained and processed by the Public Cord Blood Bank IDCBIS was transplanted. A new opportunity for a pediatric patient with a severe blood disease in Bogota. This process was carried out thanks to voluntary and altruistic donations from Colombian mothers since 2014 in the capital.

The Public Cord Blood Bank IDCBIS, linked to the Health Sector of the Capital District, has been in charge of selecting donors, as well as collecting, processing, analyzing, storing, typing and distributing hematopoietic progenitor cells in umbilical cord blood units; which are used for the treatment of different diseases that affect the blood, immune system, metabolism or bone marrow; especially in minor patients.

One of the cases was that of Maryuris, a nine-year-old girl from Barranquilla who recovered from medullary aplasia (a condition in which the bone marrow stops producing hematopoietic progenitor cells totally or partially, affecting the production of blood components), at a major pediatric hospital in Bogotá, thanks to a transplant performed with umbilical cord blood cells in 2017, shortly after a life-threatening diagnosis by the treating medical team.

You may be interested in: Research Team of the Public Cord Blood Bank IDCBIS makes important publication in the Scientific Journal Human Immunology

Maternal umbilical cord blood contains cells capable of producing blood components, these are called hematopoietic progenitor cells, which, when transplanted into a patient with a serious blood disease, can generate new blood components. A process similar to sowing a seed capable of creating new plants.

Once the donated cord blood cells are stored and cryopreserved, the amount of hematopoietic progenitor cells in each unit is identified. Eight out of ten units do not have the necessary amount of cells to be used for transplantation.

Since 2014, IDCBIS has collected more than 9300 cord blood units, of which more than 1600 have been made available for transplantation. 20 units of cord blood cells have been a hope for relatives of patients in pediatric units in the country.


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The investigation team of the Public Cord Blood Bank IDCBIS reveals frequencies of genes of the population of Bogota donors important in the compatibility in transplants of blood-forming cells, this was done through the study titled HLA -A, -B, -C, -DRB1 and –DQB1 allele and haplotype frequencies of 1463 umbilical cord blood units typed in high resolution from Bogotá, Colombia, which will appear in the important scientific journal Human Immunology member of the American Society of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics.

Dr. Ana María Perdomo led the research team that carried out the study through which the frequencies of the HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen) genetic variants of 1463 umbilical cord blood units stored for unrelated transplantation (without family relationship) were calculated. This means a representative sample of the HLA genes of Colombian children, which is immunologically determinant for the eventual transplantation of umbilical cord blood units.

With the statistical data presented in the study, possible associations between the different HLA variants can be inferred, which is useful for blood-forming cell donor registries in the world, to predict possible compatibilities with patients who have similar genotypes, including the possibility of finding a donor in our country. When there is compatibility between donors and patients, rejection at the time of receiving a transplant is avoided.

First Colombian population study typed with five DNA characteristics

Through the collection of more than 9,300 cord blood units since 2014, with 1666 made available for transplantation by the IDCBIS Public Cord Blood Bank, it has been possible to identify the HLAs corresponding to the 1463 units.

Typing is the process through which HLA identification is made, which was performed on each umbilical cord blood unit. This is the first study that takes into account five DNA characteristics in the Colombian population in order to obtain relevant information for transplants.

You may be interested in: Delegation of researchers from Lazio - Italy visits IDCBIS in search of international cooperation

The study published in the scientific journal Human Immunology allows an approach to the most frequent variants in the genes present in the HLA in the Colombian population. "Knowing more about the genetic characteristics in high resolution of our population, we can contribute to donor search strategies, as well as make transplant processes increase their chances of success in patients who require it," says Dr. Ana Maria Perdomo, IDCBIS researcher.

The Public Cord Blood Bank IDCBIS, linked to the Health Sector of the Capital District, is in charge of selecting donors, as well as collecting, processing, analyzing, storing, typing and distributing umbilical cord blood units, which are used for the treatment of different diseases that affect the blood, immune system, metabolism or bone marrow, especially in underage patients.


Read the article here

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12 March, 2019 NewsAwards

This Tuesday, the District Institute of Science, Biotechnology and Innovation in Health IDCBIS, belonging to the Health Sector, gave the Christian Church El Lugar de su Presencia recognition for its great support to blood donation from its community, with a total of 2753 blood donations in 22 donation days in recent years; this large number of altruistic acts has benefited more than 7,000 patients of the Public Hospital Network in the city of Bogota and other hospital institutions nationwide.

The award was presented by IDCBIS Director Dr. Bernardo Camacho to Pastors Claudia Bermúdez and Orlando Reyes and to representatives Alex Torres and Óscar Ferro, from El Lugar de su Presencia Church, who expressed their gratitude for being able to make these alliances with the Health Sector for the health and wellbeing of the capital's community.



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