Biobanking

Biobanking is the organized collection, storage, and distribution of biological specimens for research, together with the associated clinical and demographic data that describe them. Biobanks preserve materials such as blood, serum, plasma, tissue, DNA, RNA, urine, stool, and other bodily fluids or cells, often with linked health information. The goal is to enable reproducible, longitudinal studies and facilitate discoveries in areas such as genomics, proteomics, epidemiology, and translational medicine.

Biobanks vary in purpose and scope. Population-based biobanks collect samples from large groups for long-term studies; disease- or hospital-based biobanks collect specimens linked to specific conditions. Samples are collected, processed to preserve analytes, labeled with unique identifiers, and stored under appropriate conditions, typically at low temperatures or in liquid nitrogen. Comprehensive metadata, quality controls, and traceability are maintained to ensure sample integrity and enable data linkage to clinical records.

Ethical and legal considerations are central. Informed consent, privacy protection, governance by ethics committees or independent access committees, and compliance with data protection laws govern access and use. Anonymization or pseudonymization is commonly used to protect donors, while decisions about re-contact or return of results vary by program. Data sharing frameworks, material transfer agreements, and benefit-sharing policies guide cross-institutional collaborations.

Applications include biomarker discovery, epidemiological research, drug development, and precision medicine. Biobank quality management standards (for example ISO 20387) and international networks (such as BBMRI-ERIC and national programs) support interoperability and best practices. Ongoing challenges include standardization, data privacy, consent evolution, and sustainable funding.