Importance Of Biobanks Research Articles

Alessandria Biobank and the world of biobanking: in search of knowledge

A biobank is a service for the collection, processing, storage and distribution of biological samples, which implies a quality system and management of the rights of the people involved. The activities carried out within a biobank are aimed at supporting biomedical research and the development of personalized medicine; they allow, therefore, to identify biomarkers associated with some types of pathologies, define a prognosis and create a personalized treatment plan. Given the importance of biobanks, it is essential to try to scientifically quantify the thoughts and opinions of the population on this topic. It is even more important that the population itself knows its potential and possibility of participation through the donation of biological material and associated data, regulated by ethical-legal systems, necessary for the protection of samples and data. The existence of biobanks depends on how many people are willing to donate their biological material for research purposes; it is, therefore, essential that their existence and the activities that this service offers to public health are known. This pilot study, based on an observational process, aims to investigate the degree of knowledge about the world of biobanking and the awareness of the existence and work of the Alessandria Biobank, through the design and administration of a questionnaire at the Blood Donors Center and the Gardella Polyclinic of the A.O. SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo.

Jordanians' Perspectives On Open Consent In Biomedical Research.

IntroductionThe informed consent process is an integral step in biomedical research. However, the emergence of biobanks and the need for open consent (also called “broad” or “blanket” consent) create challenges to this process.Aims and methodologyA survey was used to examine Jordanians’ perspectives on open consent and reuse of stored samples in future research.ResultsThe majority of participants had positive perceptions of informed consent and its importance. In addition, they appreciated the challenges that are associated with multiple uses of their biospecimens. About 55% agreed to provide open consent for reuse of their donated biospecimens. Participants (75–80%) also agreed that issues such as the possibility of sharing samples with international research centers, storage duration, and use of biospecimens after their death should be clarified as part of open consent. The inconvenience of the re-contact process, trust in the research team, and the importance of biobanks were all associated with participants’ willingness to provide open consent (P<0.05). On the other hand, privacy and confidentiality, doubt about future use of samples, unknown storage period, and the possibility of cross-border sample sharing were significantly associated with participants’ reluctance to provide open consent.ConclusionThe majority of Jordanians accept the idea of open consent. Clarification of issues such as international sample sharing, duration of storage, domains of intended research, confidentiality, and privacy can provide more support for the use of open consent.

Population's perspectives toward biobanks in scientific research: a study from Jordan.

BackgroundBiobanks (biorepositories) were established to compile collected bio-specimens for future research and usage. The collection/storage of bio-specimens triggers several social, legal, and ethical implications where public attitudes can represent the core measurement/parameter in defining the most acceptable practices and ethical approaches when dealing with biobanks.AimThe aim of this study was to explore and understand population’s perspectives, expectations, and concerns toward biobanks in Jordan.MethodsA cross-sectional survey that included closed-ended questions was distributed among Jordanians. A total of 500 participants who are representative of the Jordanian population were included in this study.ResultsThere was overwhelming support (>85%) for the establishment of biobanks in Jordan, and most of the participants agreed on the importance of biobanks and samples’ donation for promoting medical research. Enthusiasm in biobanking participation was associated with the sociodemographic characteristics of participants including age, educational level, and previous knowledge of biobanks. Moreover, considering sample donation as a religiously good deed appeared to have the strongest positive correlation with willingness to donate bio-specimens for future research. Also, participants’ trust in medical and research services, especially the protection of their privacy and confidentiality, was the most critical concern when they decided to participate in biobanks.ConclusionPopulation’s attitude toward biobanks in Jordan was positive and promising, and can encourage the future establishment of different biobanks. It is also necessary to take into consideration certain sociodemographic characteristics when discussing specific information with potential biobanks’ donors.

Biobank Governance: The Cautionary Tale of Taiwan Biobank

By Shawn H.E. Harmon, Shang-Yung Yen, and Shu-Mei Tang. The importance of biobanks has long been mooted, and multiple models of development and operation can be found as a result of many actors founding biobanks (from institutions starting disease-specific banks to governments starting national population biobanks). Many countries began developing biobanks in the absence of national policies to aid in that formation. Taiwan was one such country. Believing that the unique genetic makeup, distinctive lifestyles, and disease-causing factors of the Taiwanese people deserved study, Taiwan took steps to create Taiwan Biobank. This paper examines Taiwan Biobank’s development and governance and focuses on two matters in particular which generated consternation during the development of Taiwan Biobank: the position adopted in relation to autonomy and ethnicity; and the approach toward transparency and internal governance. It concludes that Taiwan Biobank’s conflict-ridden evolution represents a cautionary tale, an example of how not to develop a flagship resource.

Correction: Successful re-establishment of a rabbit population from embryos vitrified 15 years ago: The importance of biobanks in livestock conservation.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199234.].

Successful re-establishment of a rabbit population from embryos vitrified 15 years ago: The importance of biobanks in livestock conservation.

Genetic resource banks (GRB) are a valuable tool for maintaining genetic variability and preserving breeds from pathogens or catastrophe, enabling us to assess and correct breeding schemes, minimizing the impact of genetic drift and facilitating diffusion. This study tests their efficiency in re-establishing two extinct populations of a synthetic rabbit line selected for daily weight gain, using vitrified embryos from two generations (18th and 36th) separated by 15 years of genetic selection. The effect of long-term storage of vitrified embryos in liquid nitrogen was also evaluated. A total of 516 vitrified embryos using the same protocol were transferred into 54 recipients. The embryos had been maintained in liquid nitrogen during 2 different periods, (i) 1 year (301 embryos and 26 transfers, 36th generation) and (ii) 15 years (259 embryos and 28 transfers, 18th generation). A total of 80.0% (8/10 to 18th) and 60.0% (9/15 to 36th) of the foundational sire families were eventually re-established. Over approximately one year, animals within each population were crossed to produce the next generation and re-establish the original population size. Our study demonstrated that our GRB of embryos vitrified 15 years ago is a successful strategy to re-establish rabbit populations to continue the breeding programme.

Clinical Trials and the Importance of Biobanks in Rare Diseases

Rare diseases ('orphan diseases') (RDs) count for 5000-8000 diseases with low prevalence and most commonly of genetic origin. Although most of rare diseases are manifested in early childhood, many are diagnosed in adults, even in elderly. Common characteristics, such as severity, debilitating and life-threatening features, with the lack of a specific drugs, make the treatment of RD a significant public-health problem. Even though randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the most ideal design for evaluating new drugs, the aim of this review was to present the aggravating circumstances that development of so-called orphan drugs faces in context of RD. We searched the PubMed/Medline for publications on studies and ethics in RDs and applying of 'omics' technologies in analysing tissue samples at biobanks published between 2010 and 2017. In this review, we presented the most significant obstacles in conducting clinical trials in RD as well as main alternative clinical trial designs aiming to decrease the number of patients recruited with increased access to innovative medicines as many as possible. Furthermore, we have presented the possibility of accessing innovative drugs outside of clinical trials as well as ethics violations by the involvement of the subject in clinical trial. Modern technologies in molecular biology will enable the development of 'precision medicine' aimed at identifying the best therapeutic goal, depending on the genetic and epigenetic factors in the affected person. That is why RD biobanks have great significance in the preservation and distribution of tissue samples, in the research of diagnostic biomarkers and the drug development.

Biobank Regulation in South Korea.

Like many other countries, South Korea has recognized the importance of biobanks as a tool for medical research and has engaged in two very important tasks to foster biobanking infrastructure: funding biobanks and setting up rules to protect the integrity of biobanks that share potentially sensitive personal information.

Biobanks in the era of personalized medicine: objectives, challenges, and innovation: Overview.

Biobanks are an important compound of personalized medicine and strongly support the scientific progress in stratification of population and biomarker discovery and validation due to progress in personalized medicine. Biobanks are an essential tool for new drug discoveries and drug development. Biobanks play an important role in the whole process of patient prevention and prediction, follow-up, and therapy monitoring and optimalization. Biobanks have the specificity in that they cover multidisciplinary approach to the human health combining biological and medical approaches, as well as informative bioinformatics technologies, computationing, and modeling. The importance of biobanks has during the last decade increased in variety and capacity from small collections of samples to large-scale national or international repositories. Collected samples are population-based, disease-specific or rare diseases originating from a diverse profile of individuals. There are various purposes of biobanks, such as diagnostics, pharmacology, or research. Biobanks involve, store, and operate with specific personal information, and as a consequence, such a diversity of biobanking is associated with a broad spectrum of ethical and legal issues. Biobanks are an international phenomenon because any single country, state, or society at the moment is not able to cover all issues involving the whole biobank problematic. Biobanks have an enormous innovative potential in the whole process of biomedical research in the twenty-first century.

More than just a "Container": Centrality and Versatility of Biobanks in the Era of Scientific Challenges

Biobanks are structures used for the preservation of biological samples. These repositories store biospecimens for short or long period of time, depending on the aim for which they are employed. The collections stored inside consist of different types and for each material there's a specific protocol to be followed, in order to keep sample in the best condition as possible. So, a good state is a primary hallmark and its basic to have a well-protected specimen to obtain reliable results fit for clinical purposes and research. In the last years, medical sciences are developing together with the progress of knowledge and skills: the need for new answer to questions about rare and common diseases has greatly contributed to the creation of a network of biobanks which cooperate in Europe and internationally to discover new findings. Therefore, the importance of biobanks is currently considerable. In this article, the topic of biobanks is argued by reviewing the most relevant aspects of these centers. Due to the strategic role of biobanks, the debate on their management and policy is focused on a variety of issues with the aim of reaching a shared agreement and obtaining a universal concordance. Only so, it will possible to achieve and maintain unity and create homogeneous system of biobanking.