(ABSTRACT) Automated Processing of Biological Samples - The Experience of the InterInstitutional Multidisciplinary Biobank - BioBIM

Traditional and innovative laboratory procedures are used for biomarker discovery studies and for the appraisal of biomolecular markers correlated to possible determinants of clinical outcome. This objective is easily achievable in our Institution thanks to the availability of a Multidisciplinary InterInstitutional BioBank (BioBIM) fully equipped for the automation of sampling, processing, storage and tracking of biological samples and completely integrated with the diagnostic section through an informatics platform connecting the laboratory informatics with a pre-analytical robotic system. Biological samples and tube racks are identified by a linear bar code and then the tube rack is scanned on a 2D reader, since each tube is assigned a unique 2D identifier. After this procedure, the aliquoting is carried out on a robotic platform by using the previously identified tubes. Finally the tube racks are stored at –80°C. A Sample Tracking Software is utilized to track all the sample identification and physical storage information. A tracking of plates and boxes handling is performed by means of RFID technology. All samples are automatically recorded in databases with encoded identification. Decoding can only be done by the biobank responsible investigator or other authorized members of the research team. The entire process from bleeding to sample storage is controlled by an IT integrated platform. All personnel is using Standard Operating Procedures defined by international guidelines when available or internal standardized protocols.