1 Informed Consent
Informed consent, the gold standard to protect participants since its introduction in the Nuremberg Code, is fundamental to specimen donations. Donors have the right to receive information and ask questions about the collection and storge of the specimen so that they can make well-considered decisions.
Informed consent not only protects the legitimate rights of donors, but also protects the collectors from litigation. The informed consent must be signed by the donor before specimen donation.
2 Collecting Blood
Figure 1. The basic procedure for the collection of blood samples.
2.1 Collect Venous Blood
Blood collection is completed by the ward nurses. and the blood samples are placed in the stationary position of 4℃ refrigerator.
2.2 Transport and Process Samples
Blood samples are transported to the biobank using cryogenic transport boxes and immediately processed. The whole process follows the strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
2.3 Store Samples and Record Information
The blood samples are temporarily stored in a -80℃ refrigerator and transferred to liquid nitrogen tanks for long-term storage. At the time, the important information such as collection time, patient identity, bed number, processing time, storage time and location is recorded promptly in our recording system.
3 Collecting Tissue
Figure 2. The basic procedure for the collection of tissue.
3.1 Tissue Collection and pathologic examination
Tissues are collected after surgical resection and send to the pathology department immediately. The pathologists check the tissues and distinguish cancer tissues and para-carcinoma tissues/normal tissues. Tissues are placed into the labeled cryotubes and temporarily stored in the liquid nitrogen cup for further transfer (Figure 2).
3.2 Receive and Transfer Samples
The tissue samples are transferred to biobank at the earliest convenience. The biobank staffs check the quantity and confirm corresponding information of the samples. The corresponding forms are signed to ensure the information is correct. The biobank staff then check the sample content and record detailed information in recording system.
3.3 Store Samples and Record Information
The tissue samples are stored in the liquid nitrogen tanks and the accurate position information is recorded simultaneously.
4 Collecting Urine and Other Body Fluid Samples
Figure 3. The basic procedure for the collection of urine and other samples.
4.1 Collect Morning Urine.
The urine in the morning contains higher concentrations of white blood cells, red blood cells and urine hormones. Mid-term urine is usually needed. During urination, the urine excreted at the anterior and posterior stages is discarded. The intermediate urine is collected in a sterile container.
4.2 Transport and Process Samples
Urine samples are transported to the biobank using a cryogenic transport box and processed immediately. The whole process follows the strict Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).
4.3 Store Samples and Record Information
The urine samples are aliquoted into cryogenic tubes, and stored at -80°C or liquid nitrogen to ensure the stability of the proteins, hormones and metabolites in the urine. At the time, the important information such as collection time, patient identity, bed number, processing time, storage time and location is recorded promptly in recording system.