生物样本库的信息化管理与信息应用

Biobank information management and sample annotation for usability

生物样本库的信息化管理与信息应用是生物样本库建设阶段中必不可少的两大元素,其重要作用也必将贯穿生物样本库发展与应用的全过程。中国生物样本库建设与发展是从认识改变到改变现实的发展历程,随着生物样本量的快速积累,由于缺乏对生物样本的认识,使样本应用成为一大难题。因此,了解生物样本性能和特征,才能解决是否适合科研需要和如何应用样本这两个关键问题,而保证生物样本质量、信息注释和样本应用三者相辅相成的关键点是信息化管理生物样本库。

How to apply information management system to track and manage entire workflow-driven procedure of sample collection, processing, storage and distribution, and how to characterize biological samples with associated information, are two imperative components of best operation and management in a biobank. Moving from concept to practice, biobanking in China has survived several challenges when researchers first realized the quality of stored samples could have great impact on the quality of research, followed by facing the challenge that banked samples have limited usability. That is the third issue since samples lack annotation with associated information from clinical and other resources. This issue challenges scientists to determine if samples are appropriate for answering a given scientific questions. It turns out to be a waste of time and money by banking large accumulation of samples if the issues are not solved. Sample holds little value itself without associated clinical and other information. It is only a transit form before the biological data reflecting health or disease status can be extracted throughout multiple ways. By following the biomarkers and related indicators in samples, scientists can discover the dynamic changing set from health to disease, followed by recovery after treatment or medical intervention. It is an important role and aim of a biobank to maximize the value of biological samples. To do so, it is essential to fully utilize banked samples appropriately to extract the value it holds. It is a must to know samples in term of biological sense. Therefore, quality, annotation and usability become three key elements in term of effective and efficient values of a biobank. In summary, information management and sample annotation would be the key to the quality and valuable resources for research.