User:LithopsEffect/sandbox biorepository

A biorepository is a facility that collects, catalogs, and stores samples of biological material for laboratory research. Biorepositories collect and manage specimens from animals, plants, and other living organisms. Biorepositories store many different types of specimens, including samples of blood, urine, tissue, cells, DNA, RNA, and proteins. If the samples are from people, they may be stored with medical information along with written consent to use the samples in laboratory studies.

Purpose
The purpose of a biorepository is to maintain biological specimens, and associated information, for future use in research. The biorepository maintains the quality of specimens in its collection and ensures that they are accessible for scientific research.

Operations
The four main operations of a biorepository are; (i) collection (ii) processing, (iii) storage or inventory, and (iv) distribution of biological specimens.

(i) Collection or accession occurs when a specimen arrives at the biorepository. Information about the specimen is entered into the laboratory information management system ("LIMS"), which tracks information about all of the specimens in the bio repository. Typical information linked to a specimen would be the specimen's origin and when it arrived at the biorepository.

(ii) Processing of specimens is standardized to minimize variation due to handling. Processing may prepare the specimen for long-term storage. For example, DNA samples are processed into a salt buffer (aqueous solution) of proper pH to stabilize the DNA for storage.

(iii) Storage and inventory are where all samples are held prior to being requested via a distribution request. The inventory system is composed of sample holding boxes and the boxes are stored in freezers of various types depending on the sample storage requirements.

(iv) Distribution is the process of retrieving one or more samples from the biorepository inventory system.

Standard Operating Procedures
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) play a crucial role in the biorepository industry. There are a number of reasons why they are important:


 * SOPs reduce variability within the samples and storage processes by providing standardized guidelines for proper storage and care.
 * Biospecimen samples should closely resemble biospecimens in their natural state. SOPs help ensure that.
 * SOPs provide a standardized framework of how to conduct operations within a biorepository. They ensure seamless and reliable processes be implemented throughout operations.

Cell Line Repositories

 * The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) Human Cell and Data Repository maintains a collection of cell lines to advance the study of neurological disorders.
 * The Allen Institute for Cell Science Cell Collection is a collection of fluorescently tagged, human, induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) lines.
 * The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) respository is an effort to create a collection of stem cells from thousands of different individuals


 * The National Institute on Aging (NIA) Aging Cell Repository facilitates research into the mechanisms of aging by providing cell lines collected from subjects of different ages.
 * The United States Immunodeficiency Network (USIDNET) DNA and Cell Repository provides DNA and functional lymphoid cells from individuals with primary immunodeficiency diseases.

Sample Repositories

 * The Intermountain Healthcare Biorepository is a collection of over 4.5 million biological samples preserved in formalin and embedded in paraffin wax.


 * The J. Craig Venter Institute Human Reference Genome makes available DNA samples from J. Craig Venter, whose genome has been sequenced and assembled.


 * The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Genetic Testing Reference Material Program (GeT-RM) maintains DNA samples for use in molecular genetic testing.