An increased need for specimens of reliable and consistent quality for research purposes requires the development of standardized policies and practices for the collection, handling, storage, retrieval, and distribution of specimens and specimen-related data. Providers of specimen resources should strive to incorporate new technologies and state-of-the-science approaches and thus ensure the availability of fit-for-purpose research specimens. Strategies to achieve quality outcomes and performance improvements often include adherence to established standards and implementation of best practices. Although standards represent a rigid set of guidelines that define exactly how a task should be completed, best practices are recommended actions and principles that demonstrate an awareness of standards, solve problems, can be replicated, and work in a given context. Adoption of best practice elements will vary based on the goals and circumstances of a given initiative, and in some instances, may not be possible to implement or may represent an aspirational achievement. In an effort to harmonize the scientific, technical, legal, and ethical issues relevant to repositories of biological and environmental specimens, the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) has released the updated ISBER Best Practices: Recommendations for Repositories (ISBER Best Practices). The document provides a comprehensive tool to guide repository professionals in both managerial and technical aspects such as practical details on repository governance, development, and operation; regulatory compliance; and ethical, legal, and social issues relevant to repositories. This summary describes the process for revising the document and summarizes the new topics, updates, and areas of expansion included in the fourth edition of ISBER Best Practices.
Steps Toward Harmonization and Standardization
Key objectives of the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) are to share successful strategies on providing fit-for-purpose specimens for research and to develop harmonized principles in the science and management of repositories. ISBER Best Practices
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are intended to serve as a target for the quality management of specimens and to provide guidance for those seeking to improve their policies and procedures. They provide a helpful starting point in the evaluation and optimization of existing practices, development of new procedures, and performance of administrative oversight. In addition, adoption of these recommendations may support organizations seeking accreditation or certification by entities that accredit a repository according to national or international standards. These practices will continue to evolve to reflect developments in biospecimen science, present technological innovations, and remain current in relevant ethical and legal policies and regulations. ISBER's continued engagement of stakeholders and experts in repository management is essential for the provision of accurate and effective practices in the collection, handling, storage, retrieval, and distribution of biological and environmental specimen resources.
Establishment and Evolution of Best Practices for Repositories
In 2005, ISBER published Best Practices for Repositories I: Collection, Storage, and Retrieval of Human Biological Materials for Research (ISBER Best Practices) as a comprehensive tool to guide repository professionals in the technical, legal, ethical, and/or managerial issues relevant to repositories of biological and environmental specimens. ISBER Best Practices were subsequently revised in 2008 to include considerations and policies for specimens of nonhuman origin. The third edition was revised in 2012 to reflect advances in biospecimen science and new technology platforms. Topics covered in ISBER Best Practices include repository development considerations, organizational requirements, and personnel; funding, cost management, and other financial issues; physical facility management aspects such as security, fire prevention, emergency preparedness, storage equipment, and environments; specimen packaging and shipping requirements, regulations, and tracking; quality management including standard operating procedures development and maintenance, quality standards, method validation, and audits; general safety issues and local, regional, and national regulations; training programs, documentation, and records; specimen collection considerations; legal and ethical issues for collection of biospecimens; and sharing and distribution of specimens and data.
Building on the foundation of the previous versions, the fourth edition of ISBER Best Practices addresses scientific, technical, legal, and ethical issues relevant to repositories of biological and environmental specimens. Recommendations provided in the document reflect the collective knowledge and experience of ISBER members in supplying specimens and associated data in a form that meets specific quality criteria and in compliance with all necessary requirements and regulations. Rather than providing detailed procedures, the document consists of principles by which such policies and procedures should be developed. It is understood that achieving full compliance with the practices established in the document is regarded as the gold standard of repository success, but it is recognized that it will not be feasible for all repositories to achieve this. Repositories should decide how best to incorporate these recommendations and should refer directly to their own national/federal, regional, and local regulations and requirements, as appropriate.
Development Process for the Fourth Edition
The process for development of the fourth edition of ISBER Best Practices began in November 2016 with an announcement to the ISBER membership-at-large, asking for expressions of interest to participate as an editor or contributor. An Editorial Board was selected from the list of volunteers and multiple teleconferences were conducted to discuss the document format, content additions and expansions, timeline for the project, and procedures for updating the document. Editors were assigned a section or group of related sections from the third edition of the ISBER Best Practices. Each editor led discussions with contributors and incorporated suggested edits into a working draft. In February 2017, editors submitted revised drafts and a summary of edits for their assigned section(s) to the Editorial Board for review and input. Review drafts were then prepared and submitted to the ISBER Standards Advisory Committee (SAC) and Best Practices' International Review Board in March 2017.
Feedback from the ISBER SAC and Best Practices' International Review Board was shared with section contributors and members of ISBER Working Groups and Special Interest Groups for consideration. Comments and edits for each section were incorporated into a single working draft for discussion by the Editorial Board. A review highlighting areas lacking consensus was prepared and presented to the ISBER SAC in September 2017. The Editorial Board also asked for guidance on standardized terminology and applicable definitions for usage throughout the document. Input from the ISBER SAC was then incorporated into a final draft and submitted to the ISBER Board of Directors in October 2017 for comments and approval.
Revisions, Areas of Expansion, and New Topics
The fourth edition of the ISBER Best Practices is a revision of the third edition published in 2012 with an aim to include new areas of interest to the biobanking community, expand and update existing topics, and present an international perspective that reflects the growing diversity of the ISBER membership. Table 1 contains a summary of changes between the third and fourth editions of the Best Practices.
Throughout the document, the term “Best Practice” is used in situations where a level of operation is indicated that is above the basic recommended practice or more specifically designates activities or methods that have been successfully used by multiple organizations but have not yet become common practice. Repositories facing challenges that make it difficult or impossible to follow the recommended “Best Practices” should decide how best to incorporate these recommendations to meet their specific needs and requirements. It is important to note that some aspects of specimen management are governed by local, national/federal, or regional regulations, and repositories should refer directly to these regulations and requirements, as appropriate. In addition to providing guidance and effective processes, ISBER Best Practices focuses on the establishment of standardized terminology and definitions for use by the global biobanking community. An example of these efforts is a clarification in the document of the use of the terms “specimen” and “sample,” which vary significantly when used in a clinical versus biodiversity and/or environmental setting.
Community Involvement and International Perspective
ISBER serves as an international resource for the development, management, and operations of repositories representing more than 30 countries worldwide. Since it is impossible to incorporate the national/federal, regional, and local regulations that apply to each repository, ISBER Best Practices strive to address areas of commonality among all repositories. In a similar manner, the document utilizes terminology that is generally understood among all repositories, limiting the use of sector-specific terms and providing an expanded glossary for assistance. Where terms are used ambiguously in the biobanking community, the glossary (referenced throughout the document) provides clarification.
Members of the Editorial Board and International Review Board represent a variety of repositories focusing on biological and environmental materials that are based in locations around the world. In addition, contributions and feedback from the diverse ISBER membership were encouraged to prevent any local, national/federal, or regional biases.
Commitment to Future Needs
ISBER is the leading global forum for the dissemination of state-of-the-science policies, processes, and research findings. It aims to foster collaborations, create education and training opportunities, and provide an international showcase for cutting-edge technologies, products, and services. The organization seeks to promote harmonized high-quality standards and ethical principles that cut across the broad range of repositories that ISBER serves. These efforts are supported by the publication of best practices that continue to evolve to reflect developments in biospecimen research science; advances in scientific, technological, and laboratory practices; and emergence of new ethical and legal policies and regulations. This commitment to maintaining current and scientifically accurate practices is reinforced by continuing efforts to solicit input from stakeholders in the biological and environmental specimen repository community. The ISBER Best Practices will play a key role as a valuable reference for new and established repositories in evaluating their current processes and providing guidance in the development and implementation of standardized practices.
The full document can be downloaded at no cost from the ISBER website (www.isber.org/bestpractices). For inquiries or information on participation in the development of ISBER Best Practices, please contact: (info@isber.org).
