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Sample Management


Reference 1 Sample Storage Quality & Identification Tracking Trends 2016. Published by HTStec Limited, Godalming, UK, October 2016.


world what is more needed are simple and fast QC/QA verification tests that can confirm a sam- ple is what is supposed be or if it has suffered sig- nificant degradation. There are bioanalytical tech- niques such as the RIN score for RNA and the 260/280 test for nucleic acid quality assessment that have applicability to biospecimens, but their use in biobanks is currently limited. Some com- pound stores undertake mass spec confirmation of their samples, but extending the process to an entire legacy collection is a major undertaking. In addition, the availability of a gold standard tech- nique that could enable universal QC/QA (eg biomarkers with predictable degradation profiles that could be used as surrogates of biospecimen integrity) currently appears to be a rather distant prospect. Until such tests become routine, storage facilities and end-users of stored samples need to do all they can to try to maintain sample integrity. This includes: strict adherence to protocol during sample preparation prior to storage to minimise pre-analytical variables; increased awareness (bet- ter training) in standardised biosample collection techniques; undertake sample verification prior to storage (where feasible); eliminate all freeze-thaw cycles; minimise hydration; uphold an unbroken chain of custody (audit trail); monitor storage tem- perature (where appropriate and feasible); and to be prepared to take the decision to cull samples of suspected low quality, that are partially degraded or of uncertain authenticity/history from existing inventories.


DDW


Dr John Comley is Managing Director of HTStec Limited, an independent market research consul- tancy whose focus is on assisting clients delivering novel enabling platform technologies (liquid han- dling, laboratory automation, detection instrumen- tation; assay methodologies and reagent offerings) to drug discovery and the life sciences. Since its for- mation in 2002, HTStec has published 135 market reports on enabling technologies and Dr Comley has authored 62 review articles in Drug Discovery World. Please contact info@htstec.com for more information about HTStec reports.


42 Drug Discovery World Summer 2017


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