Extending the Minimum Information About BIobank Data Sharing Terminology to Describe Samples, Sample Donors, and Events.

Introduction: The Minimum Information About BIobank data Sharing (MIABIS) was initiated in 2012. MIABIS aims to create a common biobank terminology to facilitate data sharing in biobanks and sample collections. The MIABIS Core terminology consists of three components describing biobanks, sample collections, and studies, in which information on samples and sample donors is provided at aggregated form. However, there is also a need to describe samples and sample donors at an individual level to allow more elaborate queries on available biobank samples and data. Therefore the MIABIS terminology has now been extended with components describing samples and sample donors at an individual level. Materials and Methods: The components were defined according to specific scope and use cases by a large group of experts, and through several cycles of reviews, according to the new MIABIS governance model of BBMRI-ERIC (Biobanking and Biomolecular Resources Research Infrastructure-European Research Infrastructure Consortium). The guiding principles applied in developing these components included the following terms: model should consider only samples of human origin, model should be applicable to all types of samples and all sample donors, and model should describe the current status of samples stored in a given biobank. Results: A minimal set of standard attributes for defining samples and sample donors is presented here. We added an "event" component to describe attributes that are not directly describing samples or sample donors but are tightly related to them. To better utilize the generic data model, we suggest a procedure by which interoperability can be promoted, using specific MIABIS profiles. Discussion: The MIABIS sample and donor component extensions and the new generic data model complement the existing MIABIS Core 2.0 components, and substantially increase the potential usability of this terminology for better describing biobank samples and sample donors. They also support the use of individual level data about samples and sample donors to obtain accurate and detailed biobank availability queries.

Rationalized Development of a Campus-Wide Cell Line Dataset for Implementation in the Biobank LIMS System at Bioresource Center Ghent.

The Bioresource center Ghent is the central hospital-integrated biobank of Ghent University Hospital. Our mission is to facilitate translational biomedical research by collecting, storing and providing high quality biospecimens to researchers. Several of our biobank partners store large amounts of cell lines. As cell lines are highly important both in basic research and preclinical screening phases, good annotation, authentication, and quality of these cell lines is pivotal in translational biomedical science. A Biobank Information Management System (BIMS) was implemented as sample and data management system for human bodily material. The samples are annotated by the use of defined datasets, based on the BRISQ (Biospecimen Reporting for Improved Study Quality) and Minimum Information About Biobank data Sharing (MIABIS) guidelines completed with SPREC (Standard PREanalytical Coding) information. However, the defined dataset for human bodily material is not ideal to capture the specific cell line data. Therefore, we set out to develop a rationalized cell line dataset. Through comparison of different datasets of online cell banks (human, animal, and stem cell), we established an extended cell line dataset of 156 data fields that was further analyzed until a smaller dataset-the survey dataset of 54 data fields-was obtained. The survey dataset was spread throughout our campus to all cell line users to rationalize the fields of the dataset and their potential use. Analysis of the survey data revealed only small differences in preferences in data fields between human, animal, and stem cell lines. Hence, one essential dataset for human, animal and stem cell lines was compiled consisting of 33 data fields. The essential dataset was prepared for implementation in our BIMS system. Good Clinical Data Management Practices formed the basis of our decisions in the implementation phase. Known standards, reference lists and ontologies (such as ICD-10-CM, animal taxonomy, cell line ontology…) were considered. The semantics of the data fields were clearly defined, enhancing the data quality of the stored cell lines. Therefore, we created an essential cell line dataset with defined data fields, useable for multiple cell line users.

Biobank Quality Management in the BBMRI.be Network.

From as early as 2005, different guidelines and quality standards covering biobank activities and sample handling methods have been developed to improve and guarantee the reproducibility of biomarker research. Ten years on, the BBMRI.be Quality working group wanted to gauge the current situation of these aspects in the biobanks of the BBMRI.be network. To this end, two online surveys were launched (fall 2017 and fall 2018) to the biobank quality managers in the BBMRI.be network to determine the status and setup of their current quality management system (QMS) and how their QMS and related practices have evolved over a 14 month time period. All biobanks addressed by the two surveys provided a complete response (12 and 13, respectively). A QMS was implemented in 85% of biobanks, with 4 standards emerging as primary basis. Supplementary guidelines were used, with a strong preference for the ISBER best practices for biobanks. The Standard Preanalytical Code-an indicator of the preanalytical lifecycle of a biospecimen impacting the downstream analysis results-was already implemented in 50% of the biobanks while the other half intends future implementation. To assess and maintain the quality of their QMS, 62% of biobanks used self-assessment tools and 71% participated in proficiency testing schemes. The majority of biobanks had implemented procedures for general and biobank specific activities. However, policies regarding the business and sustainability aspect of biobank were only implemented in a limited number of biobanks. A clear desire for a peer-review audit was expressed by 69% of biobanks, with over half of them intending to implement the recently published biobank standard ISO20387. Overall, the biobanks of the BBMRI.be network have actively implemented a solid quality approach in their practices. The implementation of ISO 20387 may bring further professionalization of activities. Based on the needs expressed in this survey, the Quality working group will be setting up an audit program for the BBMRI.be biobanks, to enhance, harmonize and streamline their activities. On the whole, the biobanks in the BBMRI.be network are able to substantially contribute to translational research, as a primary facilitator guaranteeing high quality standards and reproducibility.

Xeno-free plant-derived hydrolysate-based freezing of human embryonic stem cells.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are one of the most interesting cell types for tissue engineering and cell therapy. The large-scale banking of hESCs for research and future clinical application requires economic, defined, and xeno-free cryopreservation protocols. In this study, the possibility to substitute knockout serum replacement (KO-SR) in the cryopreservation process with vegetal and synthetic hydrolysates was investigated. To our knowledge, the use of hydrolysates in hESC cryopreservation has not been yet explored. Initially, 3 different hydrolysates (Ultrapep Soy, Hypep 4601 and EX-CELL(®) CD Hydrolysate Fusion) were tested in the cryopreservation solution. A concentration of 8 mg/mL EX-CELL CD Hydrolysate Fusion in the cryopreservation solution leads to the highest recovery ratio; thus, this solution was selected for additional cryopreservation experiments. To ensure reproducibility of the results, 3 hESC lines (HS181, H9, and BG01) were used. The hESCs were collected prefreezing by application of collagenase IV and cell dissociation solution. Experiments showed that it was feasible to substitute the KO-SR in both the cryopreservation solution as the thawing solution. The obtained recovery ratios were comparable to those obtained with KO-SR (no statistical significant difference; Student's t-test, P<0.05). Further optimization protocols showed a doubling of the obtained recovery ratio after addition of Rock-inhibitor Y-27632 post-thawing. The expansion profile and pluripotency analysis revealed no changes in normal hESC behavior. We conclude that the application of vegetal or synthetic hydrolysates is suitable for xeno-free hESC cryopreservation.

An efficient, economical slow-freezing method for large-scale human embryonic stem cell banking.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are one of the most interesting cell types for tissue engineering, cell therapy, basic scientific research, and drug screening. Fast advancement in these areas requires the availability of large amounts of safe and well-characterized hESCs from hESC banks. Therefore, optimized freezing protocols, allowing the cryopreservation of large amounts of hESC without direct contact with liquid nitrogen, need to be established. In this study, 6 different cryoprotector combinations [dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), ethylene glycol, and hydroxyethylstarch (HES)] combined with 2 different application methods were screened with the VUB01 cell line, to establish a new slow-freezing protocol with high recovery rates and a good expansion capacity. Our best conditions were confirmed in 4 other hESC lines: H1, H9, 181, and UGent2. To our knowledge, this is the first time that HES is evaluated as a cryoprotector for hESCs. The use of 5% DMSO+5% HES combined with a new detachment protocol leads to efficient hESC cryopreservation. This protocol involves treating the hESC colonies with cell dissociation solution, a mild dissociation solution uncommonly used for hESC culture. A recovery ratio ranging from 45.5% to 168.2% was obtained, and these were significantly different from the other tested conditions (Student's t-test, P<0.05). The cryopreserved hESCs were morphologically comparable to control cells, exhibited a good expansion profile, were positive for pluripotent expression markers, and could still differentiate into the 3 germ layers. This new protocol allows efficient and economical hESC cryopreservation, ideal for hESC banking.