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When it comes to using biospecimens for research, the saying “garbage in, garbage out” applies (Compton, 2018). This maxim has been a driving force in biospecimen science: a field in which the focus is pre-analytical factors affecting biospecimen quality. It has also been a driving force in the professionalization of biobanking. As a result, the biobanking domain emphasizes best practices, quality standards, education, certification, accreditation, improved equipment, equipment monitoring and automation.
There is a consensus that biospecimen collection for research requires specialized units. These units, called biobanks or biorepositories, are important for ethical and scientific reasons. They are important for protecting patient interests through data protection and informed consent. They are also important for providing researchers with high-quality, reliable biospecimens…