A living biospecimen resource for better beginnings

The WA Human Milk Biobank is a specialised biorepository dedicated to the ethical collection, stewardship and study of human milk and its associated data. Built to serve the families, researchers and clinicians of Western Australia, the biobank bridges lived breastfeeding experience with rigorous scientific discovery — supporting work that advances our understanding of lactation, maternal physiology and infant development.

The resource is designed for a broad community of users. Breastfeeding women are invited to contribute milk samples and phenotypic information through a clearly defined, consented pathway. Researchers, clinician researchers and higher degree research students from universities, hospitals and research institutions can apply to access ethically governed samples and datasets for studies that aim to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Community members and consumer advocates also play a central role, helping to shape research priorities and ensure the work remains aligned with the values and expectations of the people it serves.

The biobank is built and operated by a multidisciplinary team based at The University of Western Australia, working in partnership with clinical collaborators and community advisors. Together, the team oversees standardised processing, quality-controlled biobanking and full chain-of-custody for every biospecimen, while a Consumer Advisory Group and Scientific Committee guide access decisions. This collaborative governance model ensures that every sample contributes to discovery that is both scientifically rigorous and ethically grounded.