Biobanking
Biobanks are large stores of human biological samples kept for research into genetic and environmental causes of disease. Biobanks allow for tissue, blood, salavia or other genetic materials to be stored, anonymous from the donor.
Contents
Background
Different forms of biorepositories have been around for more than 150 years. In early years, they started as small collections in laboratories, and have since grown to become automated facilities which house millions of samples. Throughout this evolution, the process of collecting consistent samples has become an important part of building biobanks, and there are now "best practices" for collecting biospecimens.[1]
Technological Advances
As biobanks and samples have evolved, the technologies used to store and access samples has also changed - modern biobanks are equipped with monitoring equipment and alarms, as well as back-up generators for power outages[2] In addition to the tools used to maintain biobanks, the processes that are run on samples have also progressed as technologies improve.
Virtual Biobanks
Virtual biobanks now allow access to samples without viewing the physical samples. Instead, an online request management system allows authorized requesters to obtain sample information remotely. The Clinical Translational and Science Awards (CTSA) Biobank Consortium aims to make an increasingly large virtual consortium biobank that can be used at multiple CSTA centers.The Consortium currently has tested software which is currently in use in a biobank which several institutions participate in, including: the University of Texas Health Center at Houston, the University of Texas Health Center at San Antonio, the University of Michigan, the University of California at Davis, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, and Baylor College of Medicine.[3]
Disease Detection
Genomic Sequencing
Ethical Implications
The biggest ethical implications of biobanking have to do with the anonymity of the samples. With
See Also
References
- ↑ Vaught, Jimmie B., Marianne K. Henderson, and Carolyn C. Compton. "Biospecimens and Biorepositories: From Afterthought to Science ." Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention. 21.2 (2012): 253-255. Web. 1 Oct. 2012.
- ↑ Vaught, Jimmie B., Marianne K. Henderson, and Carolyn C. Compton. "Biospecimens and Biorepositories: From Afterthought to Science ." Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention. 21.2 (2012): 253-255. Web. 1 Oct. 2012.
- ↑ Olson, Steve, and Adam, C. Berger. Establishing Precompetitive Collaborations to Stimulate Genomics-Driven Drug Development: Workshop Study. Washington D.C.: National Academies Press, 2011. eBook.
