Biobanking

Do you want to set up lab space, or move research projects forward faster?

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According to data collected by Bidwells, a property consultancy that focuses on the Oxbridge knowledge economy, almost zero lab space was available in June, across Oxford and Cambridge, UK1. Chief executives and investors have cautioned that the lab space shortage in the “Oxford-Cambridge arc” is forcing companies to look abroad to cities such as Boston in the US, which have a much greater availability of space available. However, even in the United States readily available lab space is becoming increasingly difficult to come by. Several life science groups across major life science hubs have cited that commercial real estate is not keeping up with the demand of the scientific ecosystem2.

In the UK this was the result of a massive surge in demand by almost a quarter in the first half of 20221. This property data raises large concerns about the UK’s ability to capitalize on a surge of interest in its life sciences sector. Research director at Bidwells, Sue Foxley, stated that the shortage is worse than anything she has seen before, with many companies being forced to lease office and other commercial space before refitting them as laboratories:

“The government has grand ambitions to transform Britain into a scientific superpower, but the Oxford-Cambridge arc is at threat of becoming a victim of its own meteoric rise, with the unicorns of tomorrow increasingly being locked out of mission-critical R&D space.” she told the Financial Times2.

Rentable spaces can see significant wait lists, rigorous vetting processes and high rent rates that challenge start-ups and research groups that wish to expand rapidly. These factors could slow growth and innovation due to a restriction of access to the right resources and technologies3.

Empy lab in need of setting up

In the long term, greater investment in creating laboratory space and offices is required, however this will take a huge amount of investment from governments and organizations and could take many years to complete. Unfortunately, this solution doesn’t help many laboratory managers who are in desperate need of bench space right now. Where time and overheads are an issue, working with an external service provider could be an effective solution for those looking to move their research projects forwards faster.

With facilities across both the US and UK, as well as partner labs in The Netherlands, China and Australia as well as nearly 25 years’ experience in handling biological samples, Sampled are here to support researchers with a range of services.

Why set up your own lab space? Use Sampled SMART Labs Outsourced Biorepository & Lab Services

As one of the worlds largest biorepositories, Sampled store over 11.5 million samples for researchers worldwide that could mitigate the resources and ongoing the ongoing investment that may be required when setting up your own biobank4. From small collections provided in a variety of labware formats through to providing storage for your own freezers/LN2 tanks on our premises, Sampled has the expertise and flexibility to protect sample integrity and chain of custody documentation. Our facilities are also equipped to mitigate risks from environmental factors and feature redundancies such as back-up generators and Liquid Nitrogen supply back-ups.

Sampled Lab featuring Perkin Elmer Chmagic 360

Saving on floor space and preserving sample integrity are not the only reasons to consider outsourcing services. The value of the insights gained from your biological samples is also dependent on access to the right technologies, Sampled SMART Labs are set up to provide access to a wide range of technology providers such as; Perkin Elmer, Illumina, ThermoFisher, Standard BioTools and many other leading technologies.

If you have biologic samples you need to Store, Manage, Analyze, Research or Transport, Sampled has the facilities and expertise ready to support you today. Get in touch with one of our experts here.

Sources:

  1. Bidwells report: https://www.bidwells.co.uk/what-we-think/arc-market-databook-cambridgeshire-offices-and-labs-summer-2021/
  2. Financial Times article- Lab space shortage threatens life science boom in Oxford and Cambridge: https://www.ft.com/content/397a75aa-3047-432e-8664-d1974fbb05df
  3. Entrepreneur article- The Shortage of Lab Space in the United States Is Stifling Innovation: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/424975
  4. Frontiers in Medicine Article – Automated Sample Storage in Biobanking to Enhance Translational Research: The Bumpy Road to Implementation: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338482409_Automated_Sample_Storage_in_Biobanking_to_Enhance_Translational_Research_The_Bumpy_Road_to_Implementation

New York State Tissue Bank Certification

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New York State (NYS) has issued our Sampled SMART Lab in New Jersey with an NYS Tissue Bank License certificate for tissue bank operation. Facilities are required to hold this license if they handle, preserve or test human tissue samples originating from or going to residents within NYS and is awarded by the NYS Department of Health.

This license enables our biorepository to handle the following categories of human biosamples:

  • Reproductive tissues
  • Hematopoietic progenitor cells

This licensing adds to a string of other important certifications, licenses and accreditations that #TeamSampled are proud to hold, as well as following industry best practices from organizations such as ISBER.

Sampled at ISBER 2022

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We are proud to announce that four upcoming talks and a poster will be presented at ISBER 2022, which will be returning to the in-person conference setting in Atlanta, Georgia. Filled with innovative technology news and research findings that cover a wide range of disciplines from biorepository news, to assay development and stem cell banking, you won’t want to miss these presentations. Kicking off the series of talks, CEO of Sampled, Robin Grimwood will present his plenary talk “Innovative strategies for protecting sample integrity with an eye towards the future”. Robin will discuss why ensuring samples are available as an active resource for analytical studies, whilst continuously innovating strategies to create renewable resources for future use and discovery is crucial for biorepositories to succeed.

ISBER 2022 Will be hosted in Atlanta

Following this, Head of Scientific affairs, Dr Michael Sheldon will be partnering with Fluidigm (now Standard Biotools) to give a workshop that address sample identity and sample quality challenges. Here, Dr Sheldon will be covering what best practices should be followed involving genetic testing and Quality Control in a biobanking environment. A discussion on the need for, and challenges involving high-throughput solutions for polygenetic risk testing will be given by Christian Bixby and Jess McDevitt. Christian and Jess will explain how Sampled achieved an impressive 10-fold increase in NGS COVID sequencing weekly capacity over a 30-day period and what it took to complete this incredible feat.

The final talk, “Strategies for generating the highest quality isogenic iPSC lines” will be given by Dr Azadeh Jadali. Similarly,  a poster titled: “Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells- The next step in the modelling of genetic diseases” will be also presented throughout the duration of the conference.

We’re honored to see the expertise within the Sampled team recognised by ISBER and excited to share and gain insights from our contemporaries look forward to sharing our insights on biobanking in practice, but if you can’t wait to learn more, why not check out our brand new website to learn about our Sampled SMART Labs.

Register for the conference directly with ISBER here.

How should I store my cell/tissue samples?

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Are you backing up your samples?

As the rate of major scientific breakthroughs increases, as well as the cost of automation decreasing, both small and large companies are finding themselves asking the same question: “As operations continue to expand, do we need to invest in more storage space for our precious cell and tissue samples?”

Should you store cell/tissue samples in house or outsource?

It is usually a question that academics, who have suddenly been inundated for requests for a promising cell line, ask themselves a little too late. Equally, with the rise of CRISPR and other breakthrough technologies, big pharmaceuticals need to contend with storing more and more batches of cells/tissues in order to track the progress of their drug or treatment over time. A prime example of this is the storage of blood samples that have been infected with alpha and delta variants of COVID-19. The crucial knowledge to prevent the next variant from wreaking havoc on the population may well lie in samples taken from the beginning of the pandemic over a year ago. Of course, this means spending a lot of money on procuring and running freezers and liquid nitrogen tanks to store a vast plethora of samples.

PHCBI Sample Freezers in Sampled’s Biobank

It is paramount that these samples are stored properly so that they can be called back into the lab in the same state as when they were stored with no denaturation. This is not as straight forward as it may seem, especially for academic groups or companies who are scaling up. Simply buying more liquid nitrogen tanks or -80°C freezers in turn leads to a reduction of precious lab space. Not only do scientists have to weigh up the costs of purchasing storage equipment over other necessary lab tools, but they also must plan for the ever-increasing cost of running the freezers and tanks.

Advantages to outsourcing cell/tissue storage

Storing cell and tissue samples is something that Infinity BiologiX (Sampled) specializes in. Having spun out of Rutgers University, Sampled has become one of the largest biorepositories in the world. Sampled work with academics and emerging companies all the way up to large pharmaceuticals to tailor fit the storage and transportation needs of their clients. Even from the moment samples are collected in cryoshippers, the exact temperature for the duration of the sample’s journey is recorded so researchers can download this information for piece of mind. This is especially critical for those working in clinical trials. Once the sample arrives at Sampled’s processing lab, they are seamlessly integrated into the sample’s workflow. For example, upon receipt of a blood sample it is centrifuged so that plasma, serum, DNA etc. can be separated and stored away. Sampled not only transports collections of samples but stores the physical freezers that labs can no longer fit inside their facility, opening up space for new equipment that helps advance their research and cutting costs at the same time.

Besides considering the costs and sacrifice of precious lab space, there is also another factor to consider. Most academic and commercial laboratories do not have spare freezers that could accommodate precious samples in case their main freezer breaks down, furthermore they do not have access to backup generators if there is a power cut or if a natural disaster strikes such as flooding etc. This is another critical reason why researchers are turning to storing their precious samples with Sampled, they not only have multiple freezers and tanks to spare in case one breaks down, but also employ backup generators in case an unexpected disaster occurs.

It’s easy to see why many researchers entrust their cell/tissue samples to Sampled instead of losing time because they can’t find their sample in a thawing -80°C freezer whose door has been open for too long. Instead they can ensure their sample is safe with transportation, storage and delivery handled by Sampled.

Talk to one of our sample management experts today, get in touch!

Why Outsource Biological Sample Storage?

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Considering the cost and resource needed to manage your own onsite sample storage, it makes sense to outsource your biological sample storage.

The cost of the infrastructure and experienced team needed to ensure the safety of precious, often irreplaceable, biospecimens can be prohibitively high. State of the art biostorage systems require significant controlled lab space equipped with remote monitored temperature monitoring systems, backup power, staff trained in the maintenance of storage equipment at a variety of temperatures and the establishment of documented procedures for disaster recovery. Whether you need to protect your samples for contractual requirements, audit purposes or future research, repositing biological samples in a temperature controlled environment for future access comes with considerations, including the economics of outsourcing. This blog looks at four key challenges when it comes to biological sample storage:

  • Flexibility
  • Cost
  • Disaster recovery
  • Storage Temperature

Flexibility – labware format and access are all issues to consider.

  • Labware format: Whether samples are collected as part of a clinical trial, demographic study or other research project it is likely that different labware types will be used – this could be due to legacy sample collections or labware shortages as seen recently. Therefore it is important to retain flexibility in labware when looking at storing biological samples. Professional biorepositories have systems in place to accommodate a multitude of sample container sizes and types, including cryovials, straws and cassettes for blood bags.
  • Data Management & Storage: The data you keep with the sample is as important as the sample itself, if either fail then the sample is useless. Many biological sample collections grow from small beginnings where sample records are managed on a homegrown LIMS or on spreadsheets. Researchers must ensure they have robust data and correct access available. Biorepository LIMS systems monitor sample location and status in real-time and have IT and software security measures in place to restrict access to sample data to the client sponsoring its storage.
  • On site space: Floor space in research labs can be hard to come by, and in cases where space is limited the competition can be high. Outsourcing the storage of low-touch samples can be a great way of freeing up lab space and creating more space for important research to take place.

Cost – should be considered over the lifetime of the sample.

  • Infrastructure & installations costs: there are many important costs to consider when setting up on-site storage including facilities adaptations, energy costs, FTE costs and the impact on other departments from a resource point of view.
  • Ongoing service costs: Depending on the biological sample stored, and the reasons for the storage a samples lifetime may run into decades and outlive storage facilities which would need to be maintained eventually replaced. An outsourced sample storage service provides this maintenance and relieves the burden from the client. Biorepositories benefit from economies of scale with regard to centralized freezer farms, main liquid nitrogen tanks that feed dozens of storage tanks via computer-controlled systems, and teams of staff responsible for maintenance and oversight.
  • Time & resource: In cases where time is an issue, centralized repositories employ dedicated sample management instruments and teams for sample withdrawal and distribution employing cold-chain logistics. This allows for rapid turnover of sample distribution requests upon receipt.
Biobanking montage
Sampled offer storage with flexibility for labware format and temperature ranges.

Disaster recovery – ensuring your samples are protected from natural disaster is vital.

  • Storage location: where your storage is geographically located can be key in the event of a natural disaster. Ensuring your samples are not at risk in areas vulnerable to flooding or seismic activity can be overlooked if sample collections have evolved in a site not designed specifically for that purpose.
  • Backup generators: building in redundancies (diesel and natural gas generator fuel sources, for example) and back-up generators is an important element to ensure samples are protected in case of a power-failure or liquid nitrogen supply failure. Also ensuring that back-up generators are not located in areas vulnerable to flooding is important e.g. in basement areas. Installation and maintenance of these systems can be a costly part of on-site storage.

Storage Temperature – understanding what temperature your samples need to be stored at and investing in the right solution could make the difference in the viability of the sample in future.

  • -20°C Sample Storage: Commonly available in both mechanical upright (manual) freezers as well as automated systems to speed up storage and retrieval, often seen in high throughput screening labs. Typically we recommend DNA/RNA samples are stored at –80°C degrees Celsius.
  • -80°C Sample Storage: Again, commonly available in both mechanical upright (manual) and automated systems. Typically we recommend this for long term storage of biological samples such as proteins or nucleic acids.
  • -190°C Sample Storage: also described as vapor phase LN2 or liquid phase LN2, -190°C biological sample storage can be the best option for storing tissue samples or cells suspended in a cryopreservation agent (CPA). These samples could include blood or tissue as well as other sample types such as reproductive specimens. 

Summary

Biological sample storage can be done in-house with the installation and ongoing maintenance of dedicated storage systems (of which there are many on the market to choose from), along with the above considerations such as; labware format, installation costs, storage location and variety of storage temperatures available.

Alternatively, researchers can outsource their storage needs to an external sample storage provider such as Sampled, and trust the 20+ years of experience we have in storing millions of biosamples in our custom storage facilities that are ready to go with no waiting time. Sampled outsourced sample storage includes consultation with our clients to ensure a sample storage solution is not just tailored to protect your biological sample integrity but easy to access and flexible enough for different sample types and labware formats. This means that we manage the samples but our clients retain access to the storage environment, access, format and data relating to their biological samples.

With over 20 years operating as a biorepository storing millions of biosamples and global distribution capabilities, Sampled is proud to work with a wide variety of clients from hospitals to academic research institutions as well as large pharma. If you have biologic samples you need to store, Sampled has the facilities and expertise ready to support you today.

Get in touch with one of our experts today

Client-centered Biological Sample Storage and Management Solutions

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In the time between when a sample is collected and when it is analyzed, samples can degrade if they are not properly stored. So, it is critical to have a storage process for the short and long term that is efficient and preserves its integrity over time.

liquid nitrogen sample storage

When most people think of biological research, the first thing that comes to mind is sample processing; however, all samples need to be stored in the proper conditions prior to testing. Biological samples degrade over a period of time, and improper storage jeopardizes the integrity of the samples which may cause inaccurate and inconsistent results. To prevent degradation, there are several ways biological samples may be stored for long- and short-term durations, and Sampled offers them all!

With a truly client-centered approach, Sampled can cater to the storage needs of all the samples we store. Plus, we are committed to ensuring the most appropriate handling and care of the samples we manage. We maintain an environment in which the temperature of every refrigerator, freezer, and room are closely monitored to provide optimal conditions for the samples.

For more tips on safely storing biological samples, click here.

The following highlights the sample storage options that Sampled offers.

Automated Storage: Preserves the Quality of Samples and Results

Sampled utilizes a state-of-the-art monitoring system, managed by LIMS, which allows for constant monitoring and data generation. This alerts highly qualified personnel of any excursions and will prevent any issues with the sample storage that could affect downstream analysis. These monitoring systems are in place in the freezer storage units and liquid nitrogen tanks – any temperature fluctuations alert the appropriate groups to take action. This constant monitoring ensures that sample integrity is not compromised at any point in the sample lifecycle.

Mechanical Storage: Preserve the Quality of Samples by Minimizing Excursions

The storage freezers are typically set at the industry standards of -80, -20, and 5°C, but Sampled also has the capacity to customize the storage temperature to meet a customer’s needs! In addition, we are in the process of implementing Biostore, which is an automated sample management and storage system. This has astronomical sample storage benefits because it allows sample handling to be greatly minimized. The freezer intakes and stores the samples at the specified temperature, which means there are no opened doors which would cause any type of temperature excursions.

Liquid Nitrogen Storage: Preserve the Quality of Samples at any Stage

All cell and stem cell lines utilize the liquid nitrogen storage. Cryopreserved cell storage allows for the accommodation of storage at different stages of the lifecycle. The same temperature monitoring, managed by LIMS, is also used to constantly monitor the temperatures of the liquid nitrogen tanks.

Sampled has achieved the distinguished Biorepository Accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP). This involves a rigorous inspection process to ensure that Sampled facilities meet the required criteria. A series of external and internal inspections takes place annually in order to maintain this accreditation.

The liquid nitrogen storage tanks also have an automated storage component which minimizes introductions to other temperatures – preventing sample excursions. There is also a component that maintains the storage temperature from retrieval to processing and packaging.

Bulk and Non-bulk Storage

Sampled has the distinct ability to receive and store a specific set of samples for clients or support large capacity storage. We’re able to provide bulk storage because we can take storage units and entire freezers of samples for the clients we serve. As with all other storage services that Sampled offers, we offer a wide range of customizable sample storage options.

Global Distribution: Preserve the Quality of Samples while Transporting around the World

The highly skilled Sampled Global Distribution Team is trained in IATA and Department of Transportation Regulations. We can ship samples all over the world while maintaining the proper storage conditions with the highest sample integrity. This practice was even achievable during the pandemic!

This global distribution team works closely with the CDC to obtain the appropriate qualifications and import and export samples globally. We are skilled in dealing with customs issues, managing requirements, and ensuring that samples are distributed in a timely manner. The samples are tracked to ensure appropriate temperature monitoring and manage biospecimens from the time they leave the Sampled facility until they are delivered to the customer.

Have Samples You need to Store?

Sampled has facilities which offer biobanking and biorepository services, which allow biological material to be stored at optimal conditions to promote sample longevity. Amid the pandemic, and even now, Sampled has a crucial role to play. We have a laboratory that processes COVID-19 samples, and a storage facility which houses vaccines and testing samples.

Sampled can be trusted with all of your sample storage needs – contact us today!