Biological specimen

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science lab
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A biological specimen (also called a biospecimen) is a biological laboratory specimen held by a biorepository for research. Such a specimen would be taken by sampling so as to be representative of any other specimen taken from the source of the specimen. When biological specimens are stored, ideally they remain equivalent to freshly-collected specimens for the purposes of research.

Human biological specimens are stored in a type of biorepository called a biobank, and the science of preserving biological specimens is most active in the field of biobanking.

Quality control

Setting broad standards for quality of biological specimens was initially an underdeveloped aspect of biobank growth.

standard operating procedures for lab practices are a high priority.[1] The procedures have to be evidence-based and will change with time as new research and technology becomes available.[1]

Policy makers

Some progress for the creation of policy-making organizations include the

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the Australasian Biospecimen Network have also proposed policies and standards.[1] In 2008 AFNOR, a French standardization organization, published the first biobank-specific quality standard.[1] Aspects of ISO 9000 have been applied to biobanks.[1]

Quality goals

Quality criteria for specimens depends on the study being considered and there is not a universal standard specimen type.[1] DNA integrity is an important factor for studies which involve whole genome amplification.[3] RNA integrity is critical for some studies and can be assessed by gel electrophoresis.[4] Also biobanks, which do specimen storage, cannot take full responsibility for specimen integrity, because before they take custody of samples someone must collect and process them and effects such as RNA degradation are more likely to occur from delayed sample processing than inadequate storage.[5]

Samples stored

Biorepositories store various types of specimens.[citation needed] Different specimens are useful for different purposes.[citation needed]

Biobank specimens
specimen uses extraction technique storage characteristics
cheek tissue DNA profiling buccal swab participants can collect themselves; can be collected by mail; so easy to collect that informed consent may be insufficiently addressed
whole blood venipuncture requires
phlebotomist
to collect
Dried blood spot gives high quality DNA and RNA Fingerstick stores easily for years at room temperature
organ
tissue
gives high quality DNA, RNA, Mitochondrial DNA, and source of disease Biopsy many uses shared with blood; also suitable for proteomic analysis; may be difficult to obtain
Plasma limited DNA and RNA content Blood plasma fractionation requires
phlebotomist
to collect
Urine marker for some diagnostic tests Urination non-invasive
Feces marker for some diagnostic tests
Stool sample
non-invasive
Skin Mostly used by forensic teams investigating criminal cases in criminal cases, collected without consent of donor
Hair Mostly used by forensic teams investigating criminal cases Hair analysis in criminal cases, collected without consent of donor

Storage techniques

Many specimens in biobanks are cryopreserved.[citation needed] Other specimens are stored in other ways.[6]

Techniques associated with biobanks

Some of the laboratory techniques associated with biological specimen storage include

]

See also

References

External links