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Electronic tracking of human brain samples for research
Christian E Keller1, Maria del Pilar Amaya, Etty Paola Cortes
1New York Brain Bank at Columbia University, The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.
Cell and Tissue Banking
|July 10, 2008
Summary
The New York Brain Bank (NYBB) developed an electronic system for tracking and managing postmortem human brain tissue. This system ensures high-quality, easily retrievable samples for neurodegenerative disorder research.
Area of Science:
- Neuropathology
- Neuroscience Research
- Biorepository Management
Background:
- Accurate categorization of postmortem human brain tissue is crucial for understanding neurodegenerative disorder pathogenesis.
- Existing methods for tissue management can be cumbersome and detrimental to sample quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce the electronic tissue tracking and management system implemented at the New York Brain Bank (NYBB).
- To highlight the advantages of processing and storing brain samples in a fresh, standardized frozen state.
Main Methods:
- Implementing an electronic relational database for co-registering bar-coded sample identifiers with unique freezer coordinates.
- Processing postmortem brains in a fresh state and storing standardized frozen samples.
- Utilizing a system that allows immediate retrieval of stored samples without further dissection.
Main Results:
- Over five years (2002-2007), NYBB processed 560 brains (63,252 samples), with 54,242 samples stored.
- Processed 1,094 requests and disbursed 9,096 samples with an average turnaround time of five working days.
- The system prevents thaw-refreeze cycles and maintains sample integrity.
Conclusions:
- The NYBB system enhances anatomic specificity and sample quality by dissecting fresh tissue.
- Diagnostic categorization allows immediate sample disbursement, reducing research delays.
- Accurate data management optimizes the use of valuable brain bank resources for future research.
