Biosafety and biobanking: Current understanding and knowledge gaps

Abstract

Infectious disease outbreaks, such as 'Coronavirus Disease 2019' (COVID-19), can constitute major global health threats with far-reaching consequences. As outbreaks develop, the international scientific community must provide high-quality scientific research-ready biological samples to solve the existing clinical and epidemiological questions to better combat the pandemic. Such examples are provided by dedicated biobank facilities, the latter collecting increasingly high volumes of biological samples. However, the more significant concentrations of infectious or potentially infectious biological materials can create a safety risk. The current short report describes the first attempt to identify the published scientific works on biobanking and safety. Three broad thematic areas have been identified: the physical security relevant to staff and sample integrity, the data safety aspects, and the governance parameters relating to the previous two. While the current publications reflect a broad alignment with existing standards and best practices in the biobanking field, they also demonstrate an opportunity for further in-depth work on this field in the post-COVID-19 era.

Comprehensive information management system for a medical research cohort biobank based on quality by design

“…Human genetic resources are not only the basis of medical research but also strategic resources related to national security. The Chinese state has always attached great importance to the protection and management of human genetic resources [ 12 – 16 ]. On May 28, 2019, Premier Li Keqiang formally signed the decree of the State Council and issued the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Management of Human Genetic Resources.…”

“…Thus, it is essential to tailor a professional and comprehensive information management system according to user requirements [ 12 ]. Additionally, with the further strengthening of medical research ethics review and human genetic resource management in China, it could be of great significance to use the biobank management system to record relevant information in the process from human genetic resource collection to use to avoid the risk of violating laws and regulations in the operation of the biobank [ 13 – 16 ].…”

Nonhuman primates’ tissue banks: resources for all model organism research

“…These include Macacine herpesvirus 1 (herpes B virus) and more recently COVID-19. It is strongly recommended that samples are handled using the appropriate biosafety containment similar to those used for human biobanks (Roux et al 2021 ).…”

Biobank for Translational Medicine: Standard Operating Procedures for Optimal Sample Management

“…The broad spectrum of biomaterials handled by biobanks is coupled with clinicopathologic information, including demographic and environmental data, tumor type, histologic grade, stage, presence of lymphovascular invasion, and biomarkers status 7 , 8 . The more high-quality specimens and data are available, the faster research will advance and impact healthcare delivery 9 . There is a strict regulatory framework based on ethical and legal principles that should follow widely adopted SOPs, quality controls, and guidelines (e.g., the U.S. National Cancer Institute, the U.K.…”