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Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Biobank for Translational Medicine: Standard Operating Procedures for Optimal Sample Management
Published on: November 30, 2022
The Bio-PIN: a concept to improve biobanking
J J Nietfeld1, Jeremy Sugarman, Jan-Eric Litton
1Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht 3584CX, The Netherlands. J.J.Nietfeld@umcutrecht.nl
Abstract:
A new biobanking method is proposed, wherein samples and associated data would be deposited anonymously and labelled using a PIN code that is produced on the basis of personal biological characteristics, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms. The code would be the 'Bio-PIN' to uniquely distinguish the sample depositors, plus their samples and data. This method could help to diminish several long-discussed ethical, legal and societal problems in biobanking regarding privacy, informed consent, autonomy, data security and public trust.

