Multiplex immunohistochemistry image of a fresh-frozen brain melanoma metastasis. Melanoma cells (S100⁺/MelanA⁺) are shown in pink, MITF⁺ cells in yellow, pERK1/2⁺ cells in orange, Ki-67⁺ proliferating cells in red, and NGFR⁺ cells in green.
Melanoma Biobank
Since 2011, the Levesque Lab has established one of the world’s largest live-cell dermatology biobanks, supporting translational cancer research across clinically annotated patient cohorts.
Our melanoma biobank currently includes:
All materials are collected under rigorous ethical standards, with full informed consent from patients and approval by the Zurich Cantonal Ethics Board.
Tissue micro array of BRAF mutated melanoma stained using RNA in situ hybridization.
>750
More than 750 cryopreserved melanoma tumor specimens with viable melanoma cells, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and stromal cells.
>5,000
Over 5,000 PBMC samples from over 1,000 melanoma patients.
>1,500
A growing patient registry with longitudinal clinical data from over 1,500 melanoma patients.
Non-Melanoma Biobank
The non-melanoma biobank includes a broad collection of skin cancers, other skin-related diseases, and PBMCs, enabling the study of both local and systemic immune mechanisms.
These resources extend our ability to investigate shared and disease-specific mechanisms across a broad spectrum of skin conditions.
Our non-melanoma collections include samples from:
Multiplex immunohistochemistry image of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Tumor cells are shown in pink (EpCAM⁺), CD8⁺ T cells in light blue, and Ki-67⁺ proliferating cells in red.
Skin cancers
including tissue samples and PBMCs from basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous lymphomas.
Inflammatory skin diseases
including tissue samples and PBMCs from psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, prurigo nodularis, alopecia areata, and atopic dermatitis.
Consortia
We are proud to contribute to collaborative, multi-institutional research efforts.