Biological specimen
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.
Policy makers
Some progress for the creation of policy-making organizations include the
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
- Biospecimen research database, a curated collection of articles about biospecimens
- Office of Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research
- Specimen Central biorepository list, A worldwide listing of active biobanks and biorepositories
- Biospecimen Research Network Symposia, a conference on biobank specimens
- Mayo Clinic on biobanking
- Short Public TV episode on museum Collections
- Biospecimen Collection Services