Do you need outcomes data with the biospecimens (i.e. you can’t wait several years)?

Some research studies involve correlating the features of the biospecimen with how patient responded to treatments or therapies. This “outcomes data” can take many years to collect.

Back Yes No

Do you need biospecimens collected with unusual/unique handling requirements?

Some research studies require very specific biospecimen handling requirements, such as centrifugation of blood samples at a different speed to standard protocols or use of a very specific reagent.

Back Yes No

Do you have requirements for data that can only be obtained at the time of collection?

Some research studies require data about the patient that is not usually collected at the time of biospecimen collection or found in the clinical chart (e.g. fasting state or detailed family history).

Back Yes No

Do you need biospecimens collected at multiple time points?

Some research studies require the same biospecimens to be collected from the same patient at different time points (e.g. matched pre- and post-operative blood samples and longitudinal collection of additional blood samples after initial treatment).

Back Yes No

Do you have staff with all the necessary biobanking expertise (consenting, biospecimen collection/handling, clinical data abstracting)?

If you are going to create a biobank yourself you will need staff who are knowledgeable about how to handle biospecimens and equipment and facilities to carry out the biobanking tasks.

Back Yes No

Do you need outcomes data with the biospecimens (ie you can’t wait several years)?

Some research studies require knowing how the patient responded to treatments or therapies.

Back Yes No

Do you need clinical pathology FFPE blocks (as opposed to FFPE blocks generated by a biobank)?

FFPE tissue blocks can be obtained from Pathology departments (which routinely create and store clinical FFPE blocks) or from some biobanks (that have chosen to create and store research FFPE tissue blocks). The main advantage of the former is that specific areas or features are easier to identify and study (e.g. the invasive margin of a tumor). The main disadvantage of the former is that it can take a lot more time and effort to obtain the blocks and to select the best block to study.

Back Yes No

Do you need biospecimens collected with unusual/unique handling requirements?

Some research studies require very specific biospecimen handling requirements, such as centrifugation at a different speed to standard protocols or use of a very specific reagent.

Back Yes No

Do you have requirements for data that can only be obtained at the time of collection?

Some research studies require data about the patient at the time of biospecimen collection (e.g. fasting state)

Back Yes No

Do you need biospecimens collected at multiple time points?

Some research studies require the same biospecimens to be collected from the same patient at different time points (e.g. longitudinal sampling).

Back Yes No

Do you have staff with all the necessary biobanking expertise (consenting, biospecimen collection/handling, clinical data abstracting)

If you are going to create a biobank yourself you will need staff who are knowledgeable about how to handle biospecimens and equipment and facilities to carry out the biobanking tasks

Back Yes No

Do you have staff with all the necessary biobanking expertise (consenting, biospecimen collection/handling, clinical data abstracting)?

If you are going to create a biobank yourself you will need staff who are knowledgeable about how to handle biospecimens and equipment, and you will need facilities to carry out the biobanking tasks

Specific expertise include:
1) staff who are qualified to consent patients to a biobank which has some ethical nuances
2) staff who are experienced in handling and preserving the relevant biospecimens
3) staff who are experienced with handling and who are familiar with specific sets of clinical data

Back Yes No

Do you have staff with all the necessary biobanking expertise (consenting, biospecimen collection/handling, clinical data abstracting)?

If you are going to create a biobank yourself you will need staff who are knowledgeable about how to handle biospecimens and equipment and facilities to carry out the biobanking tasks

Back Yes No