Current State of Biosample Management

With the genomics revolution and the promise of genetics based medicine and diagnosis; both the importance and need to store and transport biological samples have grown considerably. Researchers desire to make correlations between genetics and the environment with disease as well as between genetics and drug response.

Medical centers, academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, forensic labs and molecular diagnostic centers are rapidly collecting tissue libraries containing large volumes of biosamples. A “RAND” study has conservatively estimated that there were more than 307 million tissue specimens from more than 178 million cases stored in the United States, accumulating at a rate of more than 20 million specimens per year.

Current Methods of Biosample Management

Current methods of storing biosamples are generally limited to depositing a labeled test tube holding a DNA containing biosample such as blood or extracted DNA into a freezer or nitrogen tank. Many times these freezers and nitrogen tanks are part of a scattered network of several freezers or tanks spanning several locations within a company or organisation, whereby additional freezers are added as space permits and repositories grow. Alternatively, biosamples are stored on Guthrie cards, sometimes in the cold and sometimes at room temperature. While biosamples can be stored in this manner, it is not an operationally efficient or reliable system, nor does it scale well to the levels required.

introduces the best practice for sample storage and retrieval.

• NO TEST TUBES
• NO FREEZERS
• NO LIQUID NITROGEN TANKS
• NO DRY ICE SHIPPING

Best Practices for Integrated Biosample Management

In providing an integrated solution, GenVault offers

• A revolutionary dry-state media with which to store biosamples.
• A reliable, permanent and tamper free biological sample labeling system –“Gencode”.
• Reagent kits for subsequent DNA recovery.
• Software to request or track individual biosamples and their information.
• A secure method of physical storage. Full automation in order to free lab workers and avoid human error.

To learn more about our room temperature Biosample management products, click here