A Global View of Breast Tissue Banking
Harriet Wilson1,2, Ben Botfield1, Valerie Speirs3,4
1Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|October 1, 2015
Summary
High-quality clinical samples are crucial for translational research. The development of global biobanks addresses challenges in sample access, utilization, and researcher visibility for advancing medical discoveries.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Translational medicine
- Clinical sample management
Background:
- High-quality clinical samples are essential for translational research.
- Historically, samples were disease-specific and individually curated.
- The paradigm is shifting towards centralized tissue banks and biobanks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the global development of breast tissue banking.
- To discuss challenges in meeting researcher needs for donated samples.
- To improve the visibility and accessibility of biobanked samples.
Main Methods:
- Review of the historical development of tissue banking.
- Analysis of current global biobank structures (single-center and federated networks).
- Identification of key challenges and future directions in biobanking.
Main Results:
- Numerous biobanks have been established globally, varying in scale and collaboration.
- Significant challenges exist in optimizing sample utilization and researcher access.
- Increasing the visibility of samples within biobanks is critical for research advancement.
Conclusions:
- The establishment of global biobanks represents a significant advancement in sample accessibility.
- Addressing challenges in sample management and researcher engagement is vital for future success.
- Enhanced biobank visibility is key to maximizing the impact of donated samples in research.
