title: [Development of indicators to assess the stability of remnant blood samples stored in a biobank: experience at one institution].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the major concerns with biobanking is the absence of standard operating procedures to eliminate pre-analytical variation arising from sample collection, preparation, and storage. Currently, there is a lack of tools to carry out quality control procedures for stored blood samples. The aim of this study is to assess the quality of stored blood samples in our biobank and to suggest appropriate indicators for their quality control.
  
  
  METHODS
  The stored blood samples that we tested have been registered into our biobank since 2003. These were transferred to our biobank after carrying out routine requested tests, because the samples would have otherwise been discarded. For the purpose of quality control, we analyzed the concentrations and the integrity of DNA and RNA extracted from the stored samples and tested the levels of several serum proteins; the results were compared with the corresponding pre-storage levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 19 samples were stored from 2006 to 2009. Of the 22 samples stored between 2003 and 2005, 50% showed complete DNA integrity. However, sufficient RNA integrity was noted in only 1 sample stored as recently as 2009. High blood urea nitrogen levels were also noted in the stored sera, but the increase did not correlate to the duration of storage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The amount and integrity of nucleic acids extracted from stored blood samples are potential indicators that can be used for quality control. A guideline for the quality assessment of stored blood samples in a biobank is urgently needed.
authors.affiliation: Bioresource Management & Application Research Team, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sae Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Young Eun
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Young Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Yoon Hwan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Seok-Il
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: Ae-Chin
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Jin Kyung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D001771:Blood Banks / Q000592:standards*; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D011786:Quality Control; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000592:standards; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001798:Blood Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA