Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
08:01
Biobank for Translational Medicine: Standard Operating Procedures for Optimal Sample Management
Published on: November 30, 2022
TuBaFrost: European virtual tumor tissue banking.
P H J Riegman1, M H A Oomen, W N M Dinjens
1The TuBaFrost Consortium, Erasmus Medical Center, Dr Molewaterplein 50, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands. p.riegman@erasmusmc.nl
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|December 14, 2006
Summary
TuBaFrost establishes a virtual European frozen tumor tissue bank, enhancing access to high-quality, rare cancer samples. This infrastructure facilitates research by maintaining local custodianship and enabling direct negotiation for tissue access and collaboration.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biobanking
- Medical Informatics
Background:
- European cancer centers and universities possess valuable frozen tumor tissue collections.
- Existing tissue accessibility is limited by logistical, legal, and ethical barriers across European countries.
- A unified, searchable infrastructure is needed to maximize the utility of these valuable resources.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and outline the infrastructure for a virtual European human frozen tumor tissue bank (TuBaFrost).
- To improve the availability and accessibility of high-quality, specified, and rare tumor samples for research.
- To establish standardized procedures for tissue banking, access, and ethical compliance across Europe.
Main Methods:
- Development of a centralized, searchable internet database with innovative search and selection procedures.
- Implementation of standardization and quality assurance protocols to ensure sample consistency.
- Establishment of clear legal and ethical frameworks, access rules, and a code of conduct for inter-country collaboration.
- Retention of custodianship by the collector institute to incentivize participation and facilitate direct negotiation.
Main Results:
- Creation of a framework for a virtual European frozen tumor tissue bank.
- Enhanced accessibility to large quantities of specified or rare tumor samples.
- Facilitation of direct negotiation between tissue collectors and researchers regarding cooperation, publication, and cost compensation.
- Improved opportunities for scientific collaboration and research on diverse tumor types.
Conclusions:
- The TuBaFrost infrastructure significantly enhances the availability and accessibility of high-quality frozen tumor tissues across Europe.
- Maintaining local custodianship incentivizes participation and streamlines collaboration, accelerating cancer research.
- This initiative provides a robust model for international biobanking, addressing legal, ethical, and logistical challenges.
