BIOBANKING
Fig 4. Tissue microarray creation process from Block to TMA slide.
In addition to physical sample handling, the Biorepository ensures that associated clinical, digital images and molecular data are appropriately anonymised and governed, enabling secure linkage of the data while maintaining patient confidentiality. This supports the development of reproducible, ISO-accredited quality control work to produce ethically robust research outputs that are being used for Radiogenomics. Some of the work done so far includes collaboration with large multinational companies and academics, where some of the initial results from the research are being analysed to assess the genetic profiles of the different cancer types including adenocarcinomas of the lung and also squamous cell carcinomas. Further work is also being carried out with spatial immunocytochemistry to analyse the different antibodies and staining patterns in the different cancers in tissue microarrays created as shown in Figure 4, of several different lung cancer patients to allow analysis of these in a more efficient manner. The histomorphological phenotype learning or (HPL) AI algorithm will also be used to analyse TMA for specific markers of cancers here as well.6 Areas of interest are taken from the original block, placed onto a new block with several other areas, which then undergo microtomy and H&E (haematoxylin and eosin) staining, then digitally scanned as shown to allow use for other processes including AI, ICC and genetic analysis. This project is ongoing and would not have been possible without the Biorepository work to assist with the collation of large volumes of patient data and samples, provide the appropriate UKAS-accredited ISO standard quality control and ethical governance for this work and scientific input. As a result, the project has been able to go ahead and will provide useful diagnostic, digital and
genomic information that will ultimately allow the provision of better patient diagnosis and care.
Conclusions
Biobanking, underpinned by rigorous pathological assessment, use of pathology techniques and under appropriate ethics and governance, plays an essential role in enabling high-quality translational biomedical research. By combining expert pathological evaluation, robust ethical governance, standardised protocols and now ISO 20387:2018 accredited quality systems, the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Biorepository provides a trusted platform for the provision of research-ready specimens. Projects such as Radiogenomics illustrate the real-world applications of biobanking in supporting innovation from AI-driven diagnostics to the discovery of novel cancer biomarkers. These initiatives demonstrate that biobanking is not merely a logistical function, but a cornerstone of modern medical research infrastructure.
As the demand for ethically sourced, quality specimens for research increases, the role of accredited biorepositories will become more important over time, supporting not only scientific discovery but also the development of reproducible, patient-centred healthcare solutions.
References 1 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. NHS
GGC Biorepository. (NHSGGC, 2025)
www.nhsggc.scot/staff-recruitment/ staff-resources/research-and-innovation/ biorepository-clinical-research/
2 United Kingdom Accreditation Service. NHSGGC Biorepository awarded UK’s first UKAS accreditation for biobanking. (UKAS, 2025)
www.ukas.com/resources/latest- news/nhsggc-biorepository-awarded-uks- first-ukas-accreditation-for-biobanking/
3 Orange C. Today’s Tissue for Tomorrow’s Research. Presented at: Scottish
WWW.PATHOLOGYINPRACTICE.COM AUGUST 2025
Association for Histotechnology (2023). Available from:
www.saht.org.uk/ upcoming-meetings/previous-meetings- talks/
4 Shields A, Faustini SE, Perez-Toledo M, et al. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and asymptomatic viral carriage in healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study. Thorax. 2020 Dec;75(12):1089-1094. doi:10.1136/ thoraxjnl-2020-215414
5 University of Glasgow. The Living laboratory. Advanced imaging – Radiogenomics. (University of Glasgow 2024)
www.gla.ac.uk/colleges/mvls/ livinglab/our-projects/radiogenomics/
6 Claudio Quiros A, Coudray N, Yeaton A, et al. Mapping the landscape of histomorphological cancer phenotypes using self-supervised learning on unannotated pathology slides. Nat Commun. 2024 Jun 11;15(1):4596. doi:10.1038/s41467-024-48666-7
Acknowledgements n The author acknowledges the
contributions of Clare Orange, Dr Fiona Graham and William Sloan whose review and feedback strengthened the clarity and technical accuracy of this article. Further thanks are extended to colleagues at the NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Biorepository, as well as collaborative support from the NHS GG&C Pathology Department, and the University of Glasgow. Their expertise and commitment have been instrumental in supporting the biobanking infrastructure and research partnerships described in this article.
Alan Kennedy
Specialist Biomedical Scientist Clinical Research, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Biorepository
0141 354 9490
alan.kennedy6@
nhs.scot ggc.biorepository.research@
nhs.scot www.nhsggc.scot/
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