Enhancing quality biobanking through education

ABSTRACT

The importance of co-ordinated, robust sample collection for medical research has been highlighted during the COVID pandemic with the need for rapid, well curated samples and data. The knowledge and skills present within biobanks expedited such collections and the value of expert repository staff was recognised. Investing in staff is one of the most important activities a biobank can undertake as part of social sustainability. Biobank personnel are core to the success of the repository and a valued and engaged team is key to provide a solid foundation for the biobank to evolve and flourish. Supporting education gives the individual the opportunity for career development, the biobank a more stable workforce and has impact and value to both the biobank and host institution. Personnel come to biobanking via many varied routes, and it can be difficult when recruiting to benchmark an individual's knowledge of biobanking and associated processes. The Qualification in Biorepository Science (QBRS) is a new education tool that was jointly developed by the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) and the American Society of Clinical Pathology's Board of Certification (ASCP BOC). It provides a biobanking specific, international exam that 'professionalises' biobanking and allows remote learning to fit around daily tasks. All aspects of the biobanking pathway are covered in the syllabus and the exam is taken online, giving wide accessibility. The Wales Cancer Biobank sponsored a laboratory technician to take the test in 2021 and we present the impact and value of the QBRS qualification from a biobank's perspective. Funding(s) The Wales Cancer Biobank is funded by Health and Care Research Wales Conflict of Interest None to disclose Copyright © 2022