Biobank for Vets
WARNING – some files and images on this page relate to post mortem procedures. If you have strayed onto the vet page by mistake you are welcome to look, but there are some images you may prefer not to see
IMPORTANT: The EGS Biobank is an archive of donated samples from EGS cases. Samples from live animals are shared with us by vets sampling for diagnostic purposes. Please ensure that any invasive samples donated to the Biobank come from aliquots of samples taken for diagnostic purposes only.
Sample Kits and Collection
Sample kits can be ordered by email biobank@moredun.org.uk or by phone from the EGSF office on 0131 445 6257 (weekdays only).
Sample kits contain (as at April 2025):
- 2 x 60ml formalin pots (orange lid) – post mortem samples
- Blood tubes (purple, green, red tops)
- Urine & faeces sample pots x 2 with no liquid (faeces & urine), x 1 with DNA/RNA preservative (faeces only)
- 1 x RNA preservative pot for ganglia
- Packaging material
- Vet declaration form
- PM sample collection protocol
- Sample packaging instructions
- Owner’s Report a Case sheet
- Pre-paid postage label
Please read the Vets Sample Kit SOP information sheet and complete the vet declaration form. Send the vet declaration form with the samples to:
FAO Grass Sickness Biobank (Tanith Harte), FREEPOST EH1686, Penicuik EH26 0FG
Further information:
Case Reports
Vets can help us by completing our short, front end case report capturing the basic horse/pony details. This will create a case number which you can pass on to the owner/keeper to fill in a more detailed survey about their observations during the lead up.
Sign up to report your cases here: grasssickness.org.uk/casereports
Biobank project contact
For any further information please contact: Dr Tanith Harte, Moredun Research Institute, Pentland Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0PZ.
Email: tanith.harte@moredun.ac.uk
Report a Case
Had a case of Grass Sickness? Please create a sign up to log your case and help EGS research
EGS Biobank
Information and Downloads for Biobank Samples
Grass Sickness Dashboard
View epidemiological EGS case information