How to Make a Cost Model for the Birth Cohort Biobank in China

Biobanks and cohort studies are a popular topic in China these days and even in the global scientific research field. Cohorts with biological material are necessary to investigate potential biological mechanisms behind a disease and its early detection. Establishing a biobank is expensive and the long-term sustainability of biorepositories is a key issue globally. There is some published information on tools to calculate the biospecimen user fee; however, they may not be suitable for China's biobanks (as most of the biobanks in China are not for profit and are funded by government or research grants, and as such, funding is a major constraint). The limited published data also tend to be highly variable and specific to the type of biobank. The authors of this article aim to present the basis of a cost analysis model for a biobank of human biological samples of a birth cohort in Shanghai, China. The results show that it is very practical for us to consider how to build a cost model for the birth cohort biobank from the direct funds, such as storage equipment, temperature monitoring system, information management system, and so on. We conclude that by comparing the similarities and differences between China's cost model and that of other countries, this paper provides valuable information for biobankers to identify new perspectives on potential collaborators and mutual learning opportunities.