Ensuring Effective Utilization of Biospecimens: Design, Marketing, and Other Important Approaches

Abstract

A number of studies have shown that underutilization of biospecimens from bioresources (biobanks and biorepositories) is a significant concern. In addition, biospecimen underutilization has been identified as an ethical as well as practical concern. The utilization of biospecimens is affected by many factors, including the establishment of a scientific need for the biospecimens, the design of the bioresource, strategic planning, biospecimen quality and fitness for purpose, informed consent considerations, access policies and procedures, and marketing. This article discusses the impact of these factors on biospecimen utilization and provides suggestions for how bioresources can optimize biospecimen utilization from their collections.

The Utilization of Biospecimens: Impact of the Choice of Biobanking Model

“…Because large numbers and types of biospecimens are often collected and stored in classic biobanks, it may also be problematic to identify investigators who may need these specific banked biospecimens. 16 The availability of a computerized inventory of the biospecimens of the biobank (i.e., a catalog) can aid investigators in selecting the most appropriate biospecimens to meet their needs; this coupled with effective marketing may be very important for classic biobanks to ensure effective biospecimen utilization. 8,9,16 Of note, an available inventory may not aid those investigators who do not understand issues related to the use of various preparations of biospecimens in research.…”

“…16 The availability of a computerized inventory of the biospecimens of the biobank (i.e., a catalog) can aid investigators in selecting the most appropriate biospecimens to meet their needs; this coupled with effective marketing may be very important for classic biobanks to ensure effective biospecimen utilization. 8,9,16 Of note, an available inventory may not aid those investigators who do not understand issues related to the use of various preparations of biospecimens in research. 8,9,14,15,[20][21][22] When biospecimen collection outpaces biospecimen distribution, the inventory of the biobank will grow.…”

“…In the design and management of a classic biobank, careful consideration should be given to future storage capacity and deciding when to decrease efforts in biospecimen collection with a shift of personnel and resources to more aggressive marketing activities and distribution. 8,9,16 Some prediction of a required and optimal inventory is necessary. 22 The best classic biobank is well designed and active with a strong focus on distribution and achieving an equilibrium between collection and distribution.…”

“…[10][11][12] Biospecimen utilization is affected by many factors, including the choice of biobanking model. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] One of the first steps in the creation of a bioresource should be to ensure optimal biospecimen utilization by first identifying the scientific goals that the bioresource is intended to meet and to select the most appropriate biobanking model(s) to meet these goals. It is our view that too often researchers build a bioresource based on acquiring the biospecimens that are available for collection at their site(s) with insufficient consideration of the intended use of the biospecimens in research; potential needs of investigators/customers; and development of a stable inventory of biospecimens sometimes are not adequately considered.…”

“…Regardless of the model chosen, access procedures and policies may affect biospecimen utilization, as explained elsewhere. 16 Sometimes access procedures and policies may be established or operationalized in ways that are too restrictive. Sometimes, for example, Tissue Utilization Committees, sponsors, or others involved in the governance of a bioresource may establish policies that are too stringent, restrict priorities for biospecimen distribution, or limit access to a defined group of investigators.…”