The Central Role of Sample Collection Kitting in Research and Diagnostics

Central to the success of any research or diagnostic workflow involving biological samples, the process of sample collection determines the accuracy of results, the reliability of data, and the success of research outcomes or new therapeutic developments. For example, in the realm of drug development, the collection of cell samples is essential for assessing the efficacy and safety of new compounds¹. Similarly, in genomic research, the precision in sample collection is directly linked to the accuracy of sequencing and gene expression analyses², while in diagnostics, the integrity of patient samples is crucial for test sensitivity and specificity³.

Sample Collection Kitting Challenges and Implications

However, despite the critical role of sample collection, researchers encounter numerous obstacles that can significantly affect the integrity of their research and the validity of results^4–6.

Common challenges in sample collection kitting include:

• Lack of understanding of the sample and optimal collection methods.
• Inconsistent sampling techniques.
• Sample contamination or damage.
• Loss of sample integrity.
• Limited sample availability.
• Safety issues such as exposure to hazardous materials.
• Time- and labor-intensive protocols which act as a barrier to productivity.

Strategies for Success

Central to overcoming these challenges is gaining an in-depth understanding of the sample and its collection, processing, and storage requirements⁷. Gaining such knowledge and experience takes time, especially given the high number of diverse sample types often dealt with by a lab. Moreover, precision and consistency are paramount in overcoming these challenges, which require researchers to spend time developing and optimizing standardized protocols if optimal protocols are not available⁸. It is also essential that any relevant regulations and data protection laws are adhered to^9,10, which requires extensive knowledge and a commitment to staying abreast of any changes or updates.

Gaining all of this sample-specific knowledge and experience, as well as developing and optimizing standard protocols for the lab to follow, can be challenging and time-consuming and can negatively impact laboratory productivity. Thus, it can be hugely beneficial to outsource this effort by working with a highly knowledgeable service provider on sample collection.

The Solution: Custom Kitting Services by Sampled

Sampled offers a custom sample collection kitting service designed to streamline the sample collection process for our clients. The kits, tailor-made to meet the client’s needs, are constructed from high-quality materials and are comprehensively quality-checked prior to distribution. Our sample collection kitting services are designed to meet the specific requirements of different sample types, addressing the unique challenges each type presents. Our experts are knowledgeable about sample characteristics and collection methodologies and stay abreast with regulatory changes, which they use to inform the development of our kits, minimizing the risk of sample degradation and contamination and ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines and data protection laws.

Aside from benefits to sample integrity and resulting data reliability, utilizing Sampled’s custom kitting service can be hugely beneficial for improving laboratory efficiency and productivity. All our sample collection kits come with a single page of simple, easy-to-follow instructions for workflows that are as streamlined as possible. Protocols always follow best practices and are standardized, minimizing variability and maximizing reproducibility in sample collection¹¹. Finally, all sample collection components are barcoded, which streamlines the sample’s transportation, processing, storage, and access, and enables a full chain of custody throughout the sample’s lifecycle.

Conclusion

The significance of successful sample collection in the integrity and reliability of data resulting from analytical workflows cannot be overstated. Challenges inherent to the sample collection process, often stemming from an insufficient understanding of sample requirements or non-standardized protocols, can severely impede the success of these workflows. Sampled offers a custom sample collection kitting service that presents a robust solution to these challenges. Through extensive knowledge and expertise in sample characteristics and collection methodologies, the development of bespoke sample collection kits not only streamlines the collection process but also enhances sample integrity and compliance with regulatory standards, thereby elevating the quality and reliability of research and diagnostic pipelines.

Download the full whitepaper today to learn more about the importance of standardized sample collection procedures and how custom kitting services can help you elevate your sample collection and improve resulting data. 

References

1.            Maass KF, Barfield MD, Ito M, et al. Leveraging patient‐centric sampling for clinical drug development and decentralized clinical trials: Promise to reality. Clin Transl Sci. 2022;15(12):2785-2795. doi:10.1111/cts.13411

2.            Szczepek AJ, Frejo L, Vona B, et al. Recommendations on Collecting and Storing Samples for Genetic Studies in Hearing and Tinnitus Research. Ear Hear. 2019;40(2):219-226. doi:10.1097/AUD.0000000000000614

3.            Nichols ZE, Geddes CD. Sample Preparation and Diagnostic Methods for a Variety of Settings: A Comprehensive Review. Molecules. 2021;26(18):5666. doi:10.3390/molecules26185666

4.            Logie JJ, Chaloner C. A national survey of specimen contamination in the UK. Ann Clin Biochem Int J Lab Med. 2019;56(2):219-227. doi:10.1177/0004563218812500

5.            Vester AE, Christensen EF, Andersen SK, Tønnesen E. Ethical and practical problems in blood sampling for research purposes during pre‐hospital emergencies. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2005;49(10):1540-1543. doi:10.1111/j.1399-6576.2005.00789.x

6.            Santos J, Ramos C, Vaz-Velho M, Vasconcelos Pinto M. Occupational Exposure to Biological Agents. In: Arezes PM, Boring RL, eds. Advances in Safety Management and Human Performance. Vol 1204. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing. Springer International Publishing; 2020:61-67. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-50946-0_9

7.            Redrup MJ, Igarashi H, Schaefgen J, et al. Sample Management: Recommendation for Best Practices and Harmonization from the Global Bioanalysis Consortium Harmonization Team. AAPS J. 2016;18(2):290-293. doi:10.1208/s12248-016-9869-2

8.            Dinis-Oliveira RJ, Vieira DN, Magalhães T. Guidelines for Collection of Biological Samples for Clinical and Forensic Toxicological Analysis. Forensic Sci Res. 2016;1(1):42-51. doi:10.1080/20961790.2016.1271098

9.            Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) | CDC. Published June 28, 2022. Accessed March 4, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html

10.         UCL. Transporting Infectious and Biological Material. Safety Services. Published August 3, 2020. Accessed March 20, 2024. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/safety-services/policies/2022/dec/transporting-infectious-and-biological-material

11.         ISBER. Best Practices: Recommendations for Repositories Fifth Edition. Published online 2023. Accessed January 29, 2024. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.isber.org/resource/resmgr/best_practices/ISBERBestPractices-5thEditio.pdf

In this article we will look at how safe and correct storage of samples is crucial from the nascent stages of drug discovery to post-market surveillance and how Sampled’s biorepository services can play a pivotal role in advancing medical breakthroughs.

1. Role of biobanking in early Research and Development:

In the initial stages of drug discovery, researchers must rely on access to high-quality biological specimens to unravel the underlying mechanisms of diseases and identify potential therapeutic targets. Sampled’s biobanking infrastructure serves as a vital resource, enabling researchers to securely store and access a diverse array of samples, including:

• DNA/RNA
• Whole blood
• Serum
• Saliva
• Urine
• Stool
• Hair
• Cell pellets
• Protein Samples

By providing centralized storage facilities equipped with state-of-the-art preservation technologies, Sampled empowers researchers to accelerate the pace of discovery and validation of novel drug candidates as well as biomarker discovery. Furthermore, our secure facilities are monitored 24 hours a day, all year round with multiple backup power generators to ensure their security and integrity.

2. Preclinical Testing:

As drug candidates progress through preclinical testing, the demand for well-characterized biological samples becomes increasingly critical. Sampled holds both CAP and CLIA licenses so that our biorepository sample storage services facilitate the procurement and distribution of meticulously annotated specimens, thereby streamlining preclinical studies and enhancing the reproducibility of research outcomes. Additionally, by offering customizable sample management and biobanking solutions, Sampled enables researchers to optimize experimental protocols and improve the predictive value of preclinical models, ultimately reducing the risk of late-stage drug failures.

3. Clinical Trials:

Throughout the clinical trial phase, the availability of high-quality biospecimens is indispensable for assessing drug safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics. Sampled’s expertise in sample collection, processing, and biosample storage ensures compliance with stringent regulatory requirements while maintaining sample integrity and traceability. By leveraging Sampled’s comprehensive biobanking infrastructure, pharmaceutical companies can mitigate the logistical challenges associated with multi-site clinical trials, streamline sample logistics, and enhance data quality, thereby expediting the development timeline and reducing costs.

The ability to package, transport and store samples in a systematic and highly structured manner by following best practices gives researchers the confidence that their sample’s integrity is intact which means the data generated from them is accurate and reproducible. Furthermore, our ability to scale to meet your sample storage needs through every stage of your clinical trial means that you can focus on what matters most instead of setting up a new, or expanding an existing, biorepository. 

4. Post-Market Surveillance:

Even after a drug/therapeutic has been approved for market release, the need for continuous monitoring of safety and efficacy remains paramount. Sampled’s biobanking services extend beyond the realm of drug development and supports post-market surveillance initiatives aimed at detecting adverse drug reactions, monitoring long-term outcomes, and evaluating real-world effectiveness. By establishing longitudinal sample collections linked to comprehensive clinical data, Sampled empowers researchers to conduct retrospective analyses and identify emerging safety signals, thereby safeguarding public health and informing regulatory decision-making.

Similarly, another consideration to be made for pharmaceuticals is how their archived or legacy sample collections (perhaps through acquisitions or donations) are processed and stored. It is crucial that your documenting and SOPs for storing multiple sample collections is standardized across the entire collection so that sample integrity is prioritized but also so that they are categorized correctly. Failure to properly organize and maintain high uniform storage conditions can result in some sample collections being lost, mislabeled or destroyed by mistake.

In conclusion, Sampled’s biobanking services represent a cornerstone of the drug discovery pipeline, offering versatile solutions that span multiple stages of pharmaceutical research and development. By providing researchers with access to a wide range of storage solutions from ambient storage to -196°C Liquid Nitrogen tanks, coupled with robust infrastructure and tailored support services, Sampled accelerates the pace of innovation and fosters collaboration across the biomedical community. As the search for transformative therapies continues, Sampled remains committed to advancing precision medicine and driving the next wave of scientific breakthroughs.

If you would like to learn more about our Biobanking services, speak to one of our experts today

Genetic Analysis & Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS)

• DNA Isolation: Buccal cells in saliva are rich in DNA. You can isolate this DNA to conduct various genetic analyses.
• Disease Association: These analyses are particularly useful in Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to identify genes correlated with diseases like Alzheimer’s or heart conditions.
• Population Studies: The easy collection process makes saliva samples particularly advantageous for extensive population studies, reducing logistical burdens.

Disease Detection & Monitoring

• Broad Spectrum: Saliva allows for the detection of numerous diseases, whether they be bacterial infections like streptococcus or viral infections such as HIV and COVID-19.
• Metabolic Indicators: Beyond infectious diseases, metabolic byproducts in saliva can indicate conditions like diabetes.
• Patient Comfort: The non-invasive nature of saliva samples makes them suitable for regular monitoring, especially in demographics like pediatric or geriatric populations, who may find other types of tests intrusive.

Population Screening

• Public Health: In the realm of public health, saliva tests can be used extensively in campaigns aimed at large-scale screenings for genetic conditions like cystic fibrosis.
• Substance Detection: These samples can also serve to detect substances like nicotine or illicit drugs in a community.
• Cost-Effectiveness: The relatively low cost and ease of collection make saliva sampling ideal for widescale public health initiatives.

Psychological & Behavioral Research

• Hormonal Levels: Saliva samples can be employed to measure hormone levels, such as cortisol, which has been linked to stress responses.
• Mental States: Researchers specializing in psychology and behavioral science can use such markers to explore the physiological underpinnings of mental states.
• Real-World Data: The ability to collect these samples in naturalistic settings allows for data that is more representative of real-world conditions.

Pharmacogenomics & Drug Development

• Drug Response: Researchers can leverage saliva samples to determine individualized genetic responses to drugs.
• Optimized Treatment: This personalization allows for more effective and safer medication regimens.
• New Drug Testing: Saliva samples also offer a less invasive means to monitor how new medications are metabolized during the trial phases.

Ensuring Sample Quality Through Effective Collection Kits

High-Quality Collection Kits: A Necessity, Not an Option

• Quality Components: Ensure that your saliva collection kit has high-grade collection tubes, swabs, and stabilizing agents to preserve the integrity of collected samples.
• Stabilizing Solutions: Prefer kits that come with built-in stabilizing solutions; this feature is especially crucial if there is likely to be a time delay between sample collection and analysis.

Uncompromising Supply Chain Consistency

• Supplier Reliability: Choose as supplier like Sampled who offer consistent quality across batches of collection kits.
• Long-Term Studies: Consistency is indispensable for longitudinal research and mass screenings, where even minor variations can jeopardize data reliability.

Additional Best Practices

• Time of Collection: Be aware that saliva composition fluctuates throughout the day; adhere strictly to collection timings specified by your research protocol.
• Avoiding Contamination: Consider instructing study participants to abstain from eating, drinking, or using oral care products for a standardized time before providing samples.
• Storage and Handling: Store collected samples in sterile containers at scientifically validated temperatures and ensure they are handled with sterile equipment.
• Transport: If shipping is necessary, maintain samples at a consistently controlled temperature to safeguard their integrity.

Conclusion

Saliva samples are an important biospecimen type in modern research for their versatility, cost-effectiveness, and ease of collection. Utilizing high-quality collection kits through a provider such as Sampled and maintaining an uncompromising supply chain are not just good practices—they should be prerequisites for any researcher serious about the integrity and success of their work. Following the above-mentioned best practices in collection, storage, and transportation could significantly contribute to maintaining the integrity and thereby the reliability of your research findings.

This blog aims to answer these two questions to introduce our Functional Quality Control (FQC) testing performed in our Global Integrated Analytical Biorepository (GIAB) to assess sample quality and validate subject identity.

What is FQC Testing?

In order to mitigate unforeseen errors during sample collection, transport and processing we perform FQC testing. An FQC test involves running a custom Genotyping SNP assay on every sample that is processed in our laboratory or enters our GIAB, in which DNA extraction is performed – this provides a range of benefits including:

• Our FQC assay serves as a quality check that provides confidence in the performance of the sample in downstream applications. This ensures that clients are not running assays with a high likelihood of failure – saving time and money.
• DNA fingerprinting enhances sample tracking as they undergo multiple processing steps – an added layer of security for potentially irreplaceable samples.
• Provides a concordance test to verify sample authenticity and manually collected patient phenotype.
• Verification that sample is from the same patient with longitudinal studies.
• Provides backstop for review if clients still want to run the sample – enabling a greater understanding through more data points.
• Helps to flag any external issues with collection, transportation, or handling – supporting standardization across large scale trials with multiple collection sites.

Essentially, FQC is the process by which we ensure that samples and data generated from their analysis are of a high enough standard to assure reliable and repeatable results with added benefits of security and sample damaging event flagging.

Why perform FQC Testing?

There are several reasons that make us advocate FQC testing to our clients, these include valid assays, financial viability, rich datasets, and sample identification:

Valid Assays

The primary purpose of running an assay is to gain insights from the results. The quality of the insight gained therefore is directly related to the assay being valid and providing reliable, accurate and reproducible results. Running our FQC test ensures that the samples being run in concordant tests are to the correct standard required for the assay to be valid.

Financial Viability

Many assays can be expensive to run, and long-term storage cost for future testing can also require a continued investment. Running an FQC test to inform how successful the assays are likely to be or whether the sample is worth storing can protect our clients’ investments and make the most of their budgets or research grants.

Rich Datasets

Despite FQC results, many clients opt to run samples that may have failed the FQC test anyway to ensure they are maximizing their opportunity during clinical trials. Samples that have failed during the assays can then be checked against the FQC data to determine if those particular results can be discounted from research. This provides rich datasets for researchers to draw upon during analysis.

Sample Identification

Running FQC gives us a DNA fingerprint (similar to forensic testing) of each sample, enabling an added layer of security in sample tracking. Unless clients opt for an alternative custom solution, we operate a standard of uniquely barcoded sample storage tubes and racks that are recorded against the sample in our LIMS platform – having a DNA fingerprint provides a redundant back up of the sample record that we can run a profile match against in our database.

Figure 1: Contaminated sample vs. uncontaminated sample.

Scatter Plot Key

The images above are typical scatter plot, each dot represents the genotype for one sample on that SNP.

Samples will typically cluster into 4 regions, indicative of the genotype at that locus (HOM= homozygous, HET = heterozygous): No Call (black), HOM A (green), HOM B (red), or HET (blue), enabling gender concordance to be established.

The image on the left is an example of a profile that was observed with a possible contamination, the grey dot between the green and blue clusters, clustering for the remaining SNPs for that sample would need to be checked to verify the status of that sample.

A failed run will not show these 4 clear clustering patterns.

Summary

FQC testing is performed to ensure reliable and repeatable valid assays through pre-qualification of samples ahead of more extensive and expensive testing. It also serves a number of other functions such as financial viability, rich datasets and sample identification.

The benefits of FQC testing assure that clients are getting not just high-quality research insights and security, but they are also able to maximize their budgets and grants through confidence in valid assays and future utilization of the samples after storage.

Learn more about how we can support your research whilst ensuring the potential of your precious samples is maximized, contact one of our experts today.

Since the first human genome was sequenced over two decades ago, DNA sequencing has progressed from researchers having to laboriously read each DNA letter individually. The development of high-throughput DNA sequencing has allowed for increased speed and accuracy in reading genetic information.

However, with this improvement in sequencing technology, two distinct approaches have emerged: long read sequencing and short read sequencing. These approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, and understanding the differences between the two techniques, is essential to choose the optimal technique for specific applications.

What is short read sequencing?

Short-read sequencing, as the name implies, involves reading short fragments of DNA typically ranging from 50 to 300 base pairs, and can generate millions to billions of reads. The process involves breaking DNA into small pieces, attaching adapters to each end, and running these pieces through a sequencer.

This process amplifies the number of copies of each fragment, improving sequencing accuracy making it a powerful tool for generating genomic data. Through short read sequencing, DNA or RNA can be sequenced in less time and at a lower cost than traditional methods. This technology has helped to revolutionize biomedical research and has led to important discoveries in personalized medicine as well as studying disease and evolution.

Short read sequencing is employed in applications that involve counting the abundance of specific sequences, identifying variants within well-conserved sequences, or for profiling the expression of particular transcripts.

One of the key advantages of short read sequencing is that it provides high depth coverage, which means that researchers can generate a large number of reads that overlap with each other. By overlapping reads, researchers can identify similarities and/or differences and locate mutations that can be used to identify disease states or act as targets for drug discovery.

Another advantage is that short read sequences are less expensive to produce, which makes them ideal for large scale projects involving many samples.

Sampled is proud to be partnered with Illumina, who are the leading manufacturer of short read sequencers. For many years they have led the way in creating powerful tools for genome assembly, transcriptome analysis, variant detection, and targeted resequencing.

The NovaSeq 6000 platform offers Whole genome, whole exome and whole transcriptome sequencing applications, scalable throughput and is employed by leading research centers around the globe. To learn more about how their short read sequencing technology could accelerate your research click here.

Short read sequencing is an effective tool, but there are some areas of research where it is not suitable. Since this technology cannot sequence long contiguous pieces of DNA due to the read length limitation mentioned earlier, it is not suitable for assembling entire genomes. This is where long read sequencing can help.

What is long read sequencing?

Long read sequencing, also known as third-generation sequencing, reads much longer stretches of DNA, ranging from a few thousand to hundreds of thousands of base pairs. These longer reads allow researchers to identify complex structural variations such as large insertions/deletions, inversions, repeats, duplications, and translocations. Long read sequencing technology can also be used to phase Small Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) into haplotypes, build scaffolds for de novo assembly and resolve splicing events in full length cDNA.

Although initially the technology was seen to have a lower yield and higher error rate, companies such as PacBio have since improved the chemistry on their instruments, enabling “HiFi sequencing” which uses circular consensus sequencing (CCS) to read long stretches of DNA accurately. Briefly, the CCS method allows DNA to pass through the zero-mode waveguide chip several times, generating highly accurate reads of at least 99.8%, similar to short read sequencing platforms.

Long read sequencing platforms such as those from PacBio can now sequence up to 25kb base pair sequences with an error rate closer to that seen in short read sequencing. Learn more about how our partnership with PacBio and how their Hi-Fi long-read sequencing platforms can accelerate your research here.

Long Read vs. Short Read – which to choose?

In summary, both short read sequencing and long read sequencing have their strengths and favour different applications. Short read sequencing can be faster, cheaper, and can generate high coverage; it is ideal for targeted resequencing, transcriptomics, and variant detection. Whereas long read sequencing can read contiguous stretches and handle complex regions of the genome; it is ideal for de novo genome assembly and structural variation detection. By understanding the differences between the two techniques, researchers can choose the appropriate sequencing method for their specific research needs.

If you wish to learn more about how outsourcing short and long read sequencing can save you on expenditure and accelerate your research, contact one of our experts today

Olink Explore HT: Specificity and Scalability

Unmatched Specificity

With Olink Explore HT, the specificity in protein measurement takes center stage. It’s designed to accurately measure 5,300+ protein biomarkers with minimal risk of targeting errors or misinterpretation. Key highlights include:

• Industry-leading Specificity: Olink Explore HT’s innovation ensures that you’re focusing on the right targets, minimizing wrong targets, and saving valuable time and money.
• 15-Step Validation Process: Every biomarker undergoes a stringent validation process, assuring the highest quality data you can trust. This robust validation ensures that the data are reliable, precise, and actionable, thereby accelerating the pace of discovery.
• Proximity Extension Assay Technology: The combination of Proximity Extension Assay technology with next-generation sequencing enables higher specificity. This revolutionary method delivers the accuracy needed to understand diseases at the protein level, enabling precise biomarker analysis.

Scalability for Any Project Size

Scalability is a key concern in research, and Olink Explore HT is equipped to address this challenge effectively and quickly. Its scalable design means that you can run projects of any size, with efficiency and without compromising quality.

• 4x Throughput Increase: A significant increase in throughput means that thousands of samples can be processed weekly with just one instrumentation line, making it suitable for both small-scale exploratory studies and large-scale investigations.
• Flexibility and Multiplexing: Its ability to perform at any scale and the improved multiplexing provide the flexibility required to adapt to varying research needs. From small, focused studies to extensive, high-throughput analyses, Olink® Explore HT can handle it all.
• Integration with Cutting-edge Technology: The seamless integration with instruments like SPT Labtech Dragonfly, SPT Labtech Mosquito LV, Illumina Novaseq 6000, and Hamilton Microlab STAR ensures a scalable workflow that adapts to different research requirements.

Simplified Workflow with Cutting-Edge Instruments

Olink Explore HT boasts a simplified workflow that incorporates:

• SPT Labtech Dragonfly: Ensures quick and accurate sample preparation.
• SPT Labtech Mosquito LV: Manages minute volumes with high precision.
• Illumina Novaseq 6000: Offers high-throughput sequencing.
• Hamilton Microlab STAR: Enhances efficiency and precision through automation.

These instruments streamline the entire process, saving time without compromising quality.

What are the key Application Areas?

The key application areas for Olink Explore HT are:

• Biomarker Identification: to support a broad range of disease areas including neurology, virology, oncology and more.
• Drug Discovery & Development: target discovery and clinical development from patient stratification through to disease biology.
• Understanding Human Biology: studying inflammation and immune system response by studying cytokines, chemokines and associated receptors.
• Population Studies: enabling researchers in the identification and understanding of protein patterns across diverse populations.

Why Outsource to a Lab Services Provider?

Outsourcing to a lab services provider offers:

• Expertise on Demand: Benefit from trained experts in Olink Explore HT.
• Cost-Effective: Eliminate costs of specialized equipment and training.
• Time-Saving: Focus on interpreting results and driving discoveries.
• Scalability: Flexible scalability accommodates your project’s needs.

Conclusion

Olink® Explore HT is revolutionizing biomarker discovery with unmatched specificity and scalability. The integration of sophisticated instruments offers a streamlined workflow, while the option to outsource to specialized lab service providers adds flexibility.

Whether you are exploring early research or embarking on extensive discovery, Olink® Explore HT offers the efficiency and precision needed to achieve your goals and as an Olink Service Provider our team is perfectly placed to support you. For more information on harnessing the potential of this innovative solution, contact us today.

Piscataway, NJ, July 11, 2023 – Sampled¹ today announced that it has been named a Certified Service Provider for PacBio, a leading developer of high-quality, highly accurate sequencing solutions, equipping Sampled to deliver the highest quality advanced sequencing technology services on PacBio’s technology.

To achieve this certification, providers must undergo a rigorous process including training on PacBio sample processing and data analysis workflows. Sampled has added long-read sequencing technologies to its already industry-leading, advanced integrated analytical-biorepository suite of capabilities to Store, Manage, Analyze, Research and Transport biosamples for its clients.

“We are very proud to have been named a Certified Service Provider for PacBio, one of the leading providers of sophisticated sequencing technologies,” stated Shareef Nahas, Ph.D., Sampled’s Chief Scientific Officer. “Through this partnership, we can provide our clients with some of the world’s most advanced technologies and capabilities, enabling them to make important breakthroughs in their discovery and development programs.”

“We are delighted to announce Sampled as a Certified Service Provider,” said Jeff Eidel, Chief Commercial Officer at PacBio. “The robust certification process requires companies to meet very strict training and quality standards. Sampled and PacBio are both dedicated to supporting the scientific community in their genomic research projects, and we look forward to continuing to grow our partnership as Sampled scales on Revio and adopts future technologies developed by PacBio.”

“At Sampled, we are always striving to innovate and bring the most cutting-edge services to our clients, so we are delighted to now offer the PacBio long-read sequencing technology,” said Robin Grimwood, Chief Executive Officer at Sampled. “Our thanks to the PacBio team for their partnership and collaboration as we work together for the benefit of our clients.”

About Sampled

Sampled is a next-generation laboratory that unlocks the valuable data in any biological sample. Through our integrated lab services, we can Store, Manage, Analyze, Research and Transport biological materials, offering partners a seamless solution for all research samples. Our vision is a world where we make it faster and easier for health innovators to improve human health, with a mission for Sampled Labs to be behind every transformative health innovation. Sampled is headquartered in Piscataway, N.J. with labs across the US and Europe and partner labs in the Netherlands, China and Australia.

Infinity BiologiX LLC, Roylance Stability Storage Limited and Roylance Scientific Limited are doing business as Sampled. For more information, please visit www.sampled.com

As an NGS ProLab, Sampled can provide researchers and scientists with access to Twist Bioscience NGS technology, so that they can more easily and efficiently perform large-scale genomic research.

“We are very proud to have been named an NGS ProLab by Twist Bioscience, and to provide our clients with access to, expertise and resources that may not be available in-house,” stated Shareef Nahas, Ph.D., Sampled’s Chief Scientific Officer. “By partnering with industry-leading technology providers like Twist Bioscience, we allow our clients to focus on their research results while Sampled does the heavy lifting. This will allow them to increase efficiency and productivity, reduce costs, and speed up the development of new products.”

“By becoming an NGS ProLab, Sampled is now able to add Twist Target Enrichment and Library preparation solutions to its arsenal of lab services, providing high quality data and results,” said Emily M. Leproust, Ph.D., CEO and co-founder of Twist Bioscience. “Our ProLabs are trained and certified to run Twist NGS solutions, enabling more researchers to benefit from the high uniformity of our probes, which allow for deep sequencing of targeted regions.”

“At Sampled, we are always striving to innovate and to offer the latest and most sophisticated technologies available, so we are delighted to bring Twist’s Next-Generation Sequencing tools to our clients around the world,” said Aaron Venables, Chief Commercial Officer at Sampled. “Our goal is to be the leading global, integrated, analytical biorepository, and to offer a range and depth of services and technologies that is unrivaled.”

About Sampled

Sampled is a next-generation laboratory that unlocks the valuable data in any biological sample. Through our integrated lab services, we can Store, Manage, Analyze, Research and Transport biological materials, offering partners a seamless solution for all research samples. Our vision is a world where we make it faster and easier for health innovators to improve human health, with a mission for Sampled Labs to be behind every transformative health innovation. Sampled is headquartered in Piscataway, N.J. with labs across the US and Europe and partner labs in the Netherlands, China and Australia.

Infinity BiologiX LLC, Roylance Stability Storage Limited and Roylance Scientific Limited are doing business as Sampled. For more information, please visit www.sampled.com

Glasgow lab will manage blood samples for the Guardant Health SHIELD lung cancer screening study in the EU.

February 1, 2023 – Piscataway, NJ – Sampled¹ today announced that the new genomics Sampled Lab in Glasgow, UK, has initiated a project with Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, to manage blood samples for a large-scale lung cancer screening study. The SHIELD Lung registrational study is designed to evaluate the performance of a Guardant blood-based screening test to detect lung cancer in high-risk individuals aged 50-80. Sampled has already begun receiving blood samples for the study, which is expected to enroll nearly 10,000 patients and will be conducted across approximately 100 centers in the U.S. and Europe. Sampled will manage receipt of the study’s blood samples from these test sites, prepare them for analysis, and store them until they are ready to be shipped to Guardant Health’s U.S. laboratories for test processing.

“This project is a major milestone towards making Sampled’s world-class capabilities available around the world. Guardant Health is a leader in precision oncology testing and we are delighted to partner with them to manage and prepare the blood samples from this important clinical study,” said Robin Grimwood, Sampled CEO. “Our Glasgow lab is located in the heart of BioCity, Scotland’s life science innovation incubator, and as a result we’ve been able to attract a deeply experienced team of scientific professionals to become part of our team.”

Sampled’s Glasgow facility has the ability to store and manage large quantities of blood samples throughout the course of the two-year study. The state-of-the-art, 3,000 square foot biosample research and analysis lab was created to bring Sampled Labs service offerings to European clients. The lab is equipped with leading technologies from a number of providers including: Illumina sequencing platforms, PacBio long read sequencing, microarray capability from ThermoFisher, and microfluidic-based molecular sample identification from Standard BioTools. The lab also offers an extensive range of automated liquid handling from Hamilton, PerkinElmer, and SPT Labtech.

About Sampled

Sampled is a next-generation laboratory that unlocks the valuable data in any biological sample. Through our integrated Sampled Lab services, we can Store, Manage, Analyze, Research and Transport biological materials, offering partners a seamless solution for all research samples. Our vision is a world where we make it faster and easier for health innovators to improve human health, with a mission for Sampled Labs to be behind every transformative health innovation. Sampled is headquartered in Piscataway, N.J. with labs across the US and Europe and partner labs in the Netherlands, China and Australia.

Infinity BiologiX LLC, Roylance Stability Storage Limited and Roylance Scientific Limited are doing business as Sampled. For more information, please visit www.sampled.com

Researchers often need to isolate lymphocytes and other mononuclear cells from whole blood samples for research. To do this, researchers can employ PBMC isolation to prepare and isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from whole blood via density gradient centrifugation. This typically involves the use of a density gradient centrifugation-based protocols to separate the PBMCs from other blood cells such as red blood cells and granulocytes.

PBMC isolation has come a long way since its inception, the process can now be automated using platforms such as the Hamilton EasyBlood. Here are 3 compelling reasons to outsource automated PBMC Isolation:

1. Increased Efficiency and Speed
2. Improved Consistency and Reproducibility
3. Reduce the Risk of Contamination

Increased Efficiency and Speed:

Automated PBMC Isolation can enable faster and more efficient isolation and purification of these cells, compared to manual methods. This can be especially beneficial for large-scale studies or clinical trials, where time and resources are often limited.

Improved Consistency and Reproducibility:

Automated PBMC Isolation can lead to more consistent and reproducible results. This is because automated methods rely on programmed protocols, rather than manual techniques, which could be subject to human error. Automation removes much of the variability that comes with the manual isolation process such as the dilution, stratification, and collection of mononuclear cells from the density gradient. This should be important for ensuring the validity and reliability of research findings.

Reduced Risk of Contamination:

Automated PBMC Isloation could also help mitigate the risk of contamination, which can occur during manual isolation and purification. This is important for maintaining the integrity of research samples and ensuring accurate and reliable results.

What Applications are PBMCs used for?

PBMCs can be used for a variety of downstream applications, such as:

1. Flow Cytometry
2. T-cell Activation Assays
3. Gene Expression Analysis

Flow Cytometry:

PBMCs are a commonly used cell population in flow cytometry, a technique that allows for the simultaneous measurement of multiple cellular parameters. PBMCs can be stained with fluorescent antibodies and analyzed by flow cytometry to identify and quantify different cell populations, such as T cells, B-cells, and natural killer cells. This can be useful for monitoring immune responses and identifying potential immune deficiencies.

T-cell activation assays:

T-cells, a type of white blood cell, play a critical role in the immune response. PBMCs can be used to isolate T cells and study the activation of these cells in response to various stimuli. This can be useful for understanding how the immune system responds to pathogens and for developing new immunotherapies.

Gene expression analysis:

PBMCs can also be used for studying gene expression, which refers to the process by which genes are transcribed into functional RNA molecules. PBMCs can be isolated and used for RNA sequencing or microarray analysis to study the expression of different genes in various cell types. This can be useful for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying different diseases or for identifying new drug targets.

Why outsource Automated PBMC Isolation?

There are several reasons why outsourcing PBMC Isolation can be advantageous:

• Expertise
• Cost Savings
• Turnaround time
• Scalability
• Quality Assurance

Access to specialized expertise:

Outsourcing PBMC Isolation can give researchers access to specialized expertise and equipment that they may not have in-house. This can be particularly useful for complex or specialized techniques, such as flow cytometry or cell sorting.

Cost Savings:

Outsourcing PBMC processing can be more cost-effective than setting up and maintaining an in-house processing facility. This can be particularly beneficial for smaller research groups or for projects with a limited budget.

Improved Turnaround Time:

Outsourcing PBMC processing to a third-party company can increase the speed at which samples are processed and reduce the time required for researchers to wait for results. This is especially true for projects where there are hundreds or thousands of samples to process.

Scalability:

Outsourcing allows researchers to scale up or down the number of samples processed with minimal investment in infrastructure or equipment.

Quality assurance:

Outsourcing to a reputable company or laboratory that has experience and Quality control in place, can ensure that samples are processed with high quality and consistency, and the data obtained is reliable.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Automated PBMC processing has a range of benefits including increased speed, reproducibility and contamination risk reduction. These benefits support a range of applications and clients could further benefit from outsourcing to a partner like Sampled – enabling us to do the heavy lifting whilst you focus on your research projects.

If you’re interested in learning about our Automated PBMC Isolation capabilities, talk to our team of experts today to learn more.