Blog The Process of Biospecimen Procurement - A Modern Step-by-Step Guide

The Process of Biospecimen Procurement – A Modern Step-by-Step Guide

Process of biospecimen collection

Biospecimens have been essential in biomarker discovery as far back as the 1980s. Biospecimen procurement is the systematic process of acquiring, storing, and managing biosamples for research for the advancement of personalized medicine and drug development, as shown in Figure 1. However, despite its importance, the process of biobanking, particularly prospective biospecimen collection, has been fraught with several challenges, including difficulties with sample quality, collection, and storage.

This article provides a comprehensive guide on modern sample collection that will serve as a practical reference for researchers and professionals hoping to successfully navigate the biospecimen collection process.

Step 1: Planning and Protocol Development

Define Research Objectives

A study’s objectives must first be clearly defined prior to research biospecimen acquisition to ensure collection procedures are in alignment with the broader goals of the study in question. The research purpose must also specify the type of study the procured samples will be utilized for.

Ethical Approval

Biospecimen collection procedures are required to comply with all applicable regulatory guidelines enforced by bodies, such as Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), to protect donor rights, welfare, and privacy. All key study-related documents, including the informed consent form, must first receive approval from the IRB, following the review process shown in Figure 2. This Nature editorial covers the story of Henrietta Lacks and her cancer tissue samples, underscoring the importance of the ethical collection of biosamples for research.

At Audubon Bioscience, we follow a strong bioethics policy with the highest ethical standards in conducting prospective biospecimen collection; visit our website to learn how we are supporting our clients’ research with ethically-obtained biospecimens.

The journey of biospecimens along the drug discovery process.
Figure 1. The journey of biospecimens from collection to becoming life-saving therapies.

Step 2: Participant Recruitment and Informed Consent

Identify Target Participants

Once IRB approval has been received, study-related activities are permitted to begin. There are two key factors to consider while identifying prospective participants:

  1. Defining Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility criteria should be clearly chosen to ensure the biospecimens collected are aligned with the predefined research objectives.
  2. Considering Diverse Demographics: To gather robust and generalizable data, participants should be recruited from diverse demographic backgrounds.

Informed Consent Process

The informed consent process involves explaining the purpose of the study, the procedures that will be conducted, potential risks and benefits, and participant rights. Particularly with prospective collection, wherein excess specimens are taken for research purposes, donors are required to provide informed consent in writing prior to procurement. This recent report from the National Institute of Health provides additional guidance on obtaining informed consent for research involving biospecimens.

Figure 2. An overview of the submission review process conducted by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Figure 2. An overview of the submission review process conducted by an Institutional Review Board (IRB).

Step 3: Biospecimen Collection

Collection Methods

Figure 3 depicts the lifecycle of a biospecimen following acquisition. The method of collection required depends on the type of biospecimen needed (e.g., blood, tissues, cell products, custom-matched sets, etc.). Additionally, biological sample handling and storage procedures for biospecimen collection must be standardized. The Standard PREanalytical Code (SPREC v2.0 and v3.0) is a coding system that reports how variations in biospecimen characteristics can impact downstream results. Visit the Audubon Bioscience blog to learn more about Standardized Preanalytical Coding (SPREC) in tissue biobanking.

Quality Control

The quality control measures in biospecimen collection should be detailed comprehensively from the start of the research protocol. Implementing proper personnel training and documentation practices are two measures that can help maintain sample integrity. There must also be continuous monitoring of temperature, storage conditions, and transportation of biospecimens.

Step 4: Data Documentation and Tracking

Unique Identifiers

A unique identifier is a specific label assigned to each biospecimen to ensure its traceability throughout the procurement process, as well as prevent sample misidentification. This is especially important in the case of personalized medicine because specimen mix-ups will negatively impact patient outcomes and risk the study’s integrity.

Data Integration

The use of unique identifiers enables data integration, which involves the linking of biospecimen data with participant information on secure and standardized databases. Data integration ensures the accountability and quality of the biospecimen while addressing ethical concerns related to participant privacy.

Figure 3. The lifecycle of a biological sample across the pre-acquisition and post-acquisition stages.
Figure 3. The lifecycle of a biological sample across the pre-acquisition and post-acquisition stages.

Step 5: Storage and Prevention

Storage Facilities

Biobanking storage facilities today employ advanced technologies in strict compliance with industry preservation standards to maintain long-term biospecimen viability. Their features include controlled environments, secure specimen management systems, as well as routine quality monitoring.

Long-Term Preservation

Long-term preservation in biorepositories maintains biospecimen quality to allow for the collection of longitudinal data on disease progression and treatment efficacy. In addition to developing standardized operating procedures to maintain consistency in storage conditions, cryopreservation can also be considered, especially for cell and tissue samples, such as tumor tissue samples, which otherwise degrade over time.

Step 6: Distribution and Sharing

Request Processing

Request processing involves receiving, reviewing, and approving requests for biospecimens to ensure they are made available to researchers. This process should include accessible communication platforms, timely responses, and clear predefined approval criteria. Prioritizing requests based on their potential societal and research impact may also help guide decisions and optimize the distribution of these valuable biological materials.

Collaborative Platforms

Biobanking trends include the increasing use of collaborative platforms, which help increase efficiency in request processing and facilitate partnerships in biobank research while protecting patient privacy. They also provide a shared platform on which researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders can communicate and collaborate, allowing for more comprehensive findings.

Step 7: Reporting and Publication

Data Analysis

Researchers must employ robust statistical techniques that are appropriately suited to the type of data to avoid jeopardizing the validity of their results. In this regard, collaborations with statisticians can be highly valuable because they can provide expert guidance on the choice of analytical methods, as well as their execution and interpretation.

Publication Ethics

Publication ethics are a set of guidelines applied in the publication of scientific and academic literature to promote quality, credibility, and trust in the global research community. These guidelines encourage transparency when reporting findings to discourage data misrepresentation and improve the peer review process. Ultimately, a strong commitment by researchers to ethical practices and good research conduct helps protect credibility within the scientific community.

Conclusion

In conclusion, biospecimen procurement is a complex process that plays a key role in driving biobanking trends and innovation. Developing a greater understanding of it is crucial for scientists and healthcare stakeholders, given its impact on personalized medicine advancement and therapeutic development. Each step, from planning and collection to reporting and publication, must be conducted with precision to ensure quality results, good research conduct, and optimal biosample use. By successfully navigating this intricate process, researchers influence the reliability of patient outcomes, and in turn, the progress of scientific research.

Learn more here about how our customized biospecimen procurement approach is supporting biomedical research and visit our website to explore our collection of matched biospecimen sets for your next project. Contact an Audubon Bioscience representative today for more information!

References

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