Health care integrated biobankning-innovative solutions for withdrawals

Purpose and goal

The purpose of the project was to facilitate withdrawal of biobank samples for research by developing new methods or innovations for a safer, faster and easier handling of samples. As a result of the project new or improved working methods for withdrawal has been established. Sample information has also been digitalised to further make existing sample collections available for research. An innovation whereby samples can be verified using a HoloLens has also been tested.

Expected results and effects

The project contributes to the development of innovative and cost effective solutions that can be implemented in biobanks. The conclusions from the work has been presented both on a national and international level and has helped put focus on the importance of working to improve the withdrawal service. It is yet to early to evalute the long term effect of the project, which is more use of biobank samples for research and more efficient processing. But, encouraging tests show that use of a new technique for withdrawals can halve the time, saving resources for both researchers and biobanks.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was led by Biobank Sweden and utilised already established networks. Biobanks at three locations were included in the project; Umeå, Jönköping and Lund. The time span was 18 months and the project took longer than expected due to the dependence on external suppliers and the fact that several other projects are ongoing at the biobanks.