Biobanking is the process in which human biological samples are collected, organized, and stored in a systematic way for research or future research. These samples can include tissue samples, bodily fluids, DNA, and more.
Depending on the study, human biological samples can be kept indefinitely for medical research purposes. The data collected is a critical resource in health and science research studies and understanding human diseases.
The benefits of biobanking are well felt in the pharmaceutical industry, which heavily relies on scientific research to advance pharmaceutical standards. Biobank storage is indispensable when conducting large scale research, where scientists deal hundreds of highly-sensitive biosamples.
The Evolution of Biobanking
Biobanking has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings as small, predominantly college-based collections developed for research project needs. Gradually, they have evolved into institutional and government-supported repositories, commercial biorepositories, population-based biobanks, and virtual biobank storage. The data collected for biobanks have also developed from a simplistic date of collection and diagnosis to extensive information that covers a participant’s phenotype, genetic, or other information.
The creation of imaging biobanks is a relatively new evolution of data collection. Imaging biobanks are a database of medical images — such as radiology, ultrasound and more — that can help researchers define or validate new imaging biomarkers for a diagnosis. The sharing of these kinds of images are an important part of clinical trials, research, and training.
Today, international organizations such as the Biomolecular Resource Research Infrastructure (BBMRI) play a role in uniting differing biobank principles and support national biobank activities.
Why is Biobanking Important?
As a library for medical researchers, biobanks have helped aid many research studies that have resulted in important discoveries in genetic research. By utilizing biobanking, collected materials can be stored without compromising the quality of sensitive samples.
How Do Samples Get Into a Biobank?
Best practices for biobanks start with the consideration of human dignity, which includes informed consent, when collecting samples.
Before adding a sample to biobank storage, informed consent from the subject (or legal guardian) must be given. All personal data related to the sample, such as name and address, is regulated, and samples are coded to ensure the donor is as anonymous as possible.
Samples are either refrigerated or frozen before being routed to the biobank for processing and storage. During the lifespan of the sample, the temperature of the specimen is monitored closely to ensure sample quality and viability.
Biobanking Sample Storage
With the critical role that biobanking plays in the scientific research field, it’s essential to have safe and secure storage that protects the sample’s long-term integrity.
For example, researchers have used samples from biobanks to learn more about safe and effective treatment medications to treat heart disease. Biobanks have also helped drive medical research that studies the genetic changes that may increase a person’s risk of certain cancers, osteoporosis, or asthma.
Discover SciSafe’s biobanking services that allow scientists and researchers to focus on lab activities or contact us to learn how we can customize our solutions to you.