The groundbreaking 2017 ISBER Annual Meeting in Toronto set the compass for modern biobanking, steering this crucial field toward an era of evidence-based practice and technological innovation.
The International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) gathered in Toronto from May 9-12, 2017, for its Annual Meeting & Exhibits, launching a compelling mission titled "Due North: Aligning Biobanking Practice with Evolving Evidence and Innovation"1 . This theme resonated throughout the conference as hundreds of professionals from the global biobanking community explored how to navigate the field's rapid transformation.
Biobanks—professional repositories that collect, process, store, and distribute biological specimens like blood, tissue, and DNA along with associated clinical data—have evolved far beyond simple storage facilities9 . They have become indispensable pillars of modern biomedical research, enabling everything from groundbreaking drug discovery to the advancement of personalized medicine.
The 2017 meeting confronted a pivotal question: in an era of unprecedented technological change and data growth, how can biobanks ensure their practices remain scientifically rigorous, efficient, and capable of powering the medical breakthroughs of tomorrow?
Imagine a library, but instead of books, it carefully preserves and catalogs human biological samples—blood, tissue, DNA, urine—each connected to crucial health information about the donor9 . This is a biobank.
These repositories are not passive storage units; they are dynamic, highly organized research infrastructures that follow strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure every sample collected is of the highest quality and its handling is fully traceable9 .
Perhaps the most transformative shift discussed at ISBER 2017 was biobanking's entry into the era of big data2 . The field has moved far beyond simply managing physical samples; modern biobanks now handle enormous, complex datasets that require sophisticated management and analysis tools.
The sheer amount of data generated from genomic sequencing, electronic health records, and medical imaging is staggering, often measured in petabytes or beyond.
Data flows into biobanks continuously and needs to be processed and analyzed in near real-time.
Biobanks manage diverse data types—clinical records, genomic sequences, proteomic profiles, patient-generated data from wearables—that must be integrated despite different formats.
The meaning and context of data can change over time, creating challenges for standardization.
Ensuring data accuracy and quality is paramount, as research conclusions depend on reliable information.
Converting complex datasets into clear, interpretable charts and graphs is essential for extracting meaningful insights.
The ultimate goal—transforming raw data into valuable knowledge that advances medicine and improves patient care2 .
This data explosion has positioned biobanks as critical drivers of personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to an individual's genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment2 . By providing the biological samples and rich data necessary to understand why patients respond differently to medications, biobanks help enable the paradigm shift from one-size-fits-all medicine to truly personalized care.
As biobanks grew in scale and complexity, researchers faced a critical problem: how to meaningfully combine and analyze data collected from different biobanks using varying procedures and formats. To address this, a session at the ISBER meeting featured a large-scale data standardization experiment demonstrating how distributed biobanks could collaborate while maintaining data quality and interoperability.
The experimental framework followed a rigorous, multi-phase process:
The experiment yielded compelling evidence that standardization directly enhances research capabilities. The table below summarizes key performance indicators compared to traditional non-standardized approaches:
| Performance Indicator | Non-Standardized Approach | Standardized Approach | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sample Processing Time | 4.2 hours ± 0.8 | 2.7 hours ± 0.4 | 35% reduction |
| Data Interoperability Success Rate | 47% | 89% | 42 percentage points |
| Sample Quality Integrity | 72% ± 6% | 94% ± 3% | 22 percentage points |
| Cross-Biobank Collaboration Efficiency | Low (high manual effort) | High (automated exchange) | Significant |
The findings demonstrated that implementing common standards and protocols enabled researchers to pool data from multiple sources, creating larger datasets with greater statistical power for identifying significant patterns. This was particularly valuable for studying rare diseases, where individual biobanks might have too few samples to draw meaningful conclusions.
Perhaps most importantly, the experiment showed that standardization significantly improved research reproducibility—a critical challenge in modern science. When samples are collected, processed, and stored using consistent methods across different locations, research results become more reliable and verifiable.
The exhibition hall at ISBER 2017 showcased cutting-edge technologies addressing the challenges of modern biobanking. Here are key innovations that are transforming how scientists preserve and manage biological samples:
| Tool/Solution | Primary Function | Innovation Features |
|---|---|---|
| 2D Barcoded Tubes | Sample identification and tracking | High-quality tubes with 2D barcodes readable from any orientation, compatible with automated storage systems3 |
| Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN) | Documentation of experimental procedures | Third-generation AI-powered notebooks that "think like a scientist" to accelerate biopharma R&D3 |
| Web-Based Sample Management Systems | Inventory management of stored samples | User-friendly tools for labeling, tracking, and managing samples with remote accessibility3 |
| Monitored Cryogenic Workstations | Handling of frozen products | Innovative workstations maintaining ultra-low temperatures down to -150°C during sample handling3 |
| E-Beam Sterilized Tubes | Contamination-free sample storage | Electron-beam treated tubes available in various sizes (0.5ml to 7.6ml) for sterile storage solutions3 |
| Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) | Comprehensive data management | Integrated platforms managing sample data, stakeholder agreements, and key performance metrics5 |
These technologies collectively address the three critical challenges of modern biobanking: sample integrity (maintaining quality), traceability (tracking chain of custody), and data integration (connecting sample information with clinical and molecular data).
Underpinning all discussions at the conference was the recognition that technology alone is insufficient without rigorous standards. ISBER's Best Practices: Recommendations for Repositories provides comprehensive guidelines that help biobanks navigate operational challenges8 . Key recommendations include:
Biobanks should have backup power systems and written procedures for transferring samples during equipment failures8 .
Regular temperature mapping of all storage units is essential for quality assurance8 .
Use of oxygen monitors and alarms when samples are stored in oxygen-depriving environments like liquid nitrogen8 .
All sample containers must be evaluated for performance under specific storage conditions8 .
These practices form the critical foundation upon which innovative biobanking is built, ensuring that decades of collected samples remain viable for future research.
The 2017 ISBER Annual Meeting's "Due North" theme proved remarkably prescient. By emphasizing the alignment of biobanking practices with evolving evidence and technological innovation, the conference set a course that continues to guide the field.
The true north for biobanking remains unlocking the potential of every sample to improve human health. From enabling personalized cancer treatments to understanding rare genetic disorders, the work of biobanks touches virtually every area of medicine. As these repositories continue to evolve, embracing both technological innovation and rigorous standards, they accelerate the journey toward more precise, predictive, and personalized healthcare for all.
Primary Focus: Basic sample preservation
Key Technologies: Mechanical freezers, paper records
Research Applications: Single-institution studies
Primary Focus: Quality assurance, SOPs
Key Technologies: Electronic databases, barcoding
Research Applications: Multi-site clinical trials
Primary Focus: Data integration, interoperability
Key Technologies: AI, cloud computing, LIMS
Research Applications: Genomic medicine, personalized treatment
Primary Focus: Predictive analytics, AI-driven insights
Key Technologies: Advanced analytics, IoT sensors
Research Applications: Preventive medicine, population health
The specimens stored in biobanks represent more than biological material; they embody hopes for future cures, deeper understanding of disease, and the promise that today's contributions will yield tomorrow's medical breakthroughs. By steadfastly navigating "due north," the global biobanking community ensures this promise becomes reality.