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Establishment of a Clinic-based Biorepository
Published on: May 29, 2017
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Establishing an academic biobank in a resource-challenged environment
Cassandra Claire Soo1, Freedom Mukomana, Scott Hazelhurst
1Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. cassandra.soo@wits.ac.za.
Summary
Establishing a biobank requires careful planning, especially in low-resource settings. This study outlines key considerations for creating a sustainable, high-quality bioresource for research collaborations.
Area of Science:
- Biobanking and biospecimen research
- Human genetics and genomics
- Public health and epidemiology
Background:
- Informal sample collection and data management methods are insufficient for large-scale research.
- Existing biobanking practices often lack cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
- The Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience biobank addresses these limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the establishment of a bioresource for African populations.
- To promote research in non-communicable and infectious diseases.
- To provide a summary of critical considerations for initiating academic research biobanks in low-resource environments.
Main Methods:
- Adapted best-practice biobanking guidelines for a low-resource setting.
- Developed a quality-management system with standard operating procedures and quality control.
- Focused on secure data and sample curation, storage, and monitored handling processes.
Main Results:
- The biobank successfully provides high-quality human biospecimens from African populations.
- Established a robust system for data and sample management.
- Facilitates institutional, national, and international research collaborations.
Conclusions:
- Biobanking in low-resource settings requires adaptation of best practices.
- A comprehensive quality management system is crucial for biobank success.
- Addressing ethical, legal, technical, and financial aspects is vital for sustainability.
