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Clinical Research Unit and Biobank1

The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) at Møre & Romsdal Hospital Trust was established in 2017 to help promote and advance clinical research throughout the Hospital Trust, and offers broad clinical research support.

A group of people in a lab

Our services

The Clinical Research Unit (CRU) at Møre & Romsdal Hospital Trust was established in 2017 to help promote and advance clinical research throughout the Hospital Trust, and offers broad clinical research support.

The CRU has a diverse staff comprised of research-trained nurses, biomedical laboratory scientists, and medical physicians. The Research Unit also provides assistance and services from our statistican and study monitor, and includes an expansive network for research support at the local, regional and national level. ​

With a well-equipped laboratory and close contact with the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology and Radiology and the Hospital Pharmacy, the CRU's response time is both quick and efficient. Our staff is able to assist you with a wide range of studies together with a network of contacts from various departments within the Hospital Trust. This ensures a well-optimized patient flow within clinical research.

Research support

The Clinical Research Unit can assist you with the following:

  • Plan, carry out and complete a clinical study in collaboration with you.
  • Offer advice relating to study protocols.
  • Offer advice relating to the hospital trust's privacy evaluation.
  • Offer advice relating to applications to the Regional Ethics Committee, the Norwegian Medicines Agency and take out insurance with the Drug Liability Association.
  • Offer advice on medical evaluation and safety of study protocol.
  • Agreements/coordinate contact with the department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology, Radiology and Hospital Pharmacy.
  • Coordinate examinations in and outside the CRU.
  • Carry out patient appointments in the CRU.
  • Sampling, handling and dispatching biological materials.
  • Help with the use of Electronic case reports (eCRF) and other electronic questionnaires.
  • Facilitate the monitoring of clinical studies.

Biobank1 service for the entire Møre & Romsdal Hospital Trust ​

BioBank1​​ ​safely stores data and biological materials ​​from patients admitted to ​​hospitals in Mid-Norway. ​For more information, visit www.biobank1.no/en/.

At Ålesund hospital, there is a well-equipped laboratory for sampling, handling and dispatching biological materials. In addition, we have freezing units which allow us to freeze and store biological materials at -20°, -80°, and -150° Celsius (with temperature logging and alarm), as well as register a wide range of data pertaining to biological materials in the Biobyte database. 

Our other three hospitals in Kristiansund, Volda, and Molde have ​freezing units which are daily operated in collaboration with the Department of Medical Biochemistry.

The CRU also has a transportation unit containing nitrogen for handling biological materials imported from outside the Research Unit in a safe and secure manner.

Treatment area

Our treatment area contains six sub-stations (bed or chair) with up-to-date monitoring equipment. Additionally, it includes a secluded room that is well-suited for monitoring and observing in a quiet environment. You are able to converse with your patients or co-workers, as well as examine and register your data findings at each sub-station.

Conference rooms and workspaces

The CRU has two small conference rooms with a physical capacity of 6-8 participants at each room. You can also make the meeting partially or completely digital using Microsoft Teams.

We also have three "clean desk" workspaces. Booking of conference room and workspaces by appointment only. Work related to clinical studies is prioritized.

Where to find us?

The Clinical Research Unit is located on the lower floor "U" in the hospital high-rise block in Ålesund. You may enter the building from the northern (outpatient clinic entrance) or southern side (main entrance). 

​Once you have entered the building, follow the turquoise line on the wall marked "Klinisk Forskingspost" (Clinical Research Unit) until you reach our premises.

Opening hours:
Weekdays: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.  
Activity outside these hours by appointment only.

Contact information:
Tel: 00 47 70 10 61 92
E-mail: kliniskforskingspost@helse-mr.no

Last updated 4/24/2023