title: Large scale biobanking of blood - the importance of high density sample processing procedures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is a novel automated sample-processing concept for future proteomics and clinical research, performing patient studies from resulting blood fractions in various disease areas. Another aim is biobank storage of small sample volumes, where each sample aliquot can be used for a dedicated clinical analysis and end-point measurement in order to preserve sample integrity and value over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  96 and 384 format sample storage tube systems were utilized for preservation and archiving of clinical patient samples. Automated sample processing and aliquoting were achieved using robotic liquid handling instrumentation, followed by biomarker assay quantitations. Sample workflow was documented and tracked by Nautilus LIMS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Validation by repetitive processing and analysis confirmed the reliability of automated high density 384 format aliquoting. This high density scaling allows for reproducible aliquoting of 70-μL volumes of blood. Plasma with EDTA, Li-heparin, and citrate, as anti-coagulants, fractioned along with the buffy coat (leukocytes) and the erythrocyte fraction. Large scale processing of 11,000 sample aliquots resulted in a 99.8% process fulfillment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrate that robust results can be generated from an automated sample processing strategy, isolating plasma, buffy coat, erythrocytes, serum and whole blood, proven by quantitation of 23 common markers used in everyday healthcare around the world. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Integrated omics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, 20502 Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Malm
authors.forename: Akos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Végvári
authors.forename: Melinda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rezeli
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Upton
authors.forename: Pia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Danmyr
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Steinfelder
authors.forename: György
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marko-Varga
mesh_terms: D001331:Automation / Q000379:methods*; D018070:Biological Specimen Banks; D015415:Biomarkers; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D001793:Blood Preservation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015925:Cryopreservation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers