The medical and research communities are focused on biospecimens. When it comes to the advancement of modern biomedical research, biospecimens are invaluable. However, their use also presents a variety of ethical, regulatory, and technical challenges. Tackling these issues and other risks necessitates an understanding of both the purpose and nature of biospecimen procurement.
Biospecimens are Necessary Components for Biomedical Research
Biospecimens have been considered the latest currency of research. They have played a critical role in both research and healthcare and continue to make a huge impact. The latest developments and future of genomic innovations start with a sample. Obtaining samples for cutting edge research and discovery is linked to the biobank. The future of preventive genomics, personalized medicine, and new treatment options rely on a strong biobanking sector.
Improvements to Patient Centricity
Helping patients is at the center of the healthcare industry. Most recent developments include creating more patient-centric treatment options. One goal for medical researchers to connect patients to the biobanking and sample procurement processes. The biobank plays an essential role and is sometimes the first person patients encounter during research. It may be the first opportunity a patient has to interact with the scientific community. Biobanking needs to be at the forefront of getting the message across to patients as they communicate the value biobanks provide.
Balancing Data Availability and Protecting Privacy
Biospecimens come from human patients. The specimens are accompanied by specific data about the patient including medical, genetic, and personal data. It’s essential for researchers to find the balance between protecting a patient’s privacy and making medical and personal data available. As biobanking changes the landscape of medical research and patient care, it’s important to develop solutions and best practices that help with flexibility and data usage without causing harm.
Collaboration and the Future of Biobanking
There remain some challenges when it comes to biospecimen procurement and biobanking. The need for patient-derived biospecimens is certain to increase. Therefore, the process of procuring them while protecting patients’ data needs to be optimized. It’s important that stakeholders join forces and that there is an improved awareness of how beneficial biospecimens are for developing new therapies. The connection between biobanks and clinical trials is strengthening and becoming more connected with drug development and genomics. Biobanks help close the gaps.
The future of biobanking will require biobank professionals to consider that they are becoming a service-oriented entity. Of course, progress comes with a variety of legal and ethical issues for both non-profit and public biobanks. The challenge for private biobanks is to make their biospecimens available to a larger scientific audience. Crossing fields and industries poses challenges yet the future of biobanking is promising.
Final Thoughts on the Future of Biobanking
Medical researchers rely on the availability of biosamples. Biobanks are under more pressure to procure samples, yet do so ethically while protecting patient privacy. It’s a challenging course, but it is essential for changing the scope of future medical breakthroughs and improving patient treatment options.
References
https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12967-019-1922-3
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8275637/
