BIOSAMPLE HUB
Empowering biotechs with reliable biospecimens to accelerate life-changing innovations
Biosamples From Our Global Not-For-Profit Network
We Support Ethical Biosample Procurement
Not-For-Profit
Company ethos ...
Biosample Hub operates as a not-for-profit organization, which aligns with the non-commercial biorepositories we serve.
Transparency
Transparency first ...
We prioritize transparency in all interactions between biorepositories and biosample requesters. Furthermore, our financial records are publicly available, ensuring complete transparency in our operations.
Traceability
Biosample traceability ...
Traceability is central to our operations at Biosample Hub. Since our platform directly connects biorepositories with requesters, we ensure the highest standards of scientific quality control, legal compliance, and ethical integrity.
Web Platform
Platform components ...
Our web platform offers various resources, such as noticeboards, directories, and communication tools. It enables direct interaction between biorepository managers and biotech professionals. For example, members can search directories or post biosample requests. Additionally, our admin support is always ready to assist with operational needs.
Global Biorepositories
World-wide network ...
iosample Hub connects providers and requesters of patient samples from across the globe. Our members include professionals from North and South America, Europe (mainly Western Europe), the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. Notably, Biosample Hub operates as a not-for-profit company registered in the UK, which helps ensure that ethical practices are upheld.
Resources in other languages
Diverse Biosamples
Biosample types ...
You can access a wide variety of biosamples sourced from global populations. For example, we offer samples for various medical conditions, including infectious diseases, cancers, and disorders affecting all body systems. In addition, we provide normal tissues, body fluids, umbilical cord blood, and microbiome samples. Our biospecimens come in different storage formats and processing methods, ensuring flexibility to meet your research needs.
Biosample Hub’s Mission
Our mission is to bridge the gap between non-commercial biorepositories and biotech innovators, ensuring reliable access to high-quality biospecimens that accelerate the development of life-saving therapies and diagnostics for patients worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Biosample Hub handle individual patient data?
No. Biosample Hub does not process, store, or directly handle individual patient data or identifiers. Such information remains strictly confidential and is managed exclusively by biobanks and biotech companies.
Where is Biosample Hub located?
Biosample Hub operates online, serving a global community. Our members come from North and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australasia. The company is registered in the UK.
Why Are We Not-For-Profit?
There are compelling reasons to organize patient sample procurement on a non-commercial basis. For more details, refer to the Nuffield Council on BioEthics report entitled ‘Human tissue: ethical and legal issues’ (pages 50 to 53). Commercial interests can often reduce sample traceability, leading to ethical and scientific concerns (Hofman et al, 2017).
What is prospective collection?
Prospective collection begins only after a request is placed, which is necessary for obtaining fresh viable tissue or when the required biosamples are not available in the biobank. Importantly, requesters can specify:
- Sample types to be collected
- Biosample collection protocols to be used
What is FFPE?
Researchers commonly use FFPE, which stands for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks, in diagnostics and medical research.
What is a Material Transfer Agreement?
A Material Transfer Agreement is a legal contract that governs the transfer of tangible research materials between two organizations, often between academic institutions, research organizations, or companies. It outlines the terms and conditions under which the recipient can use the materials. MTAs are commonly used in scientific research and development, especially in fields like biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and life sciences.
Can I access organoids?
Yes, an increasing number of biobanks on our network will provide patient derived organoids (PDOs).
What are Biosample Hub's main goals?
- To help biotech and pharma companies find reliable patient samples from trusted biorepositories.
- To assist academic biobanks in aligning their services with industry needs.
When was Biosample Hub founded?
Biosample Hub incorporated on March 12, 2020.
What does Not-For-Profit mean?
Biosample Hub is a company limited by guarantee, without share capital. As a result, this means we have no shareholders. Moreover, our articles of incorporation specify fair wage payment, the use of surplus funds, and asset distribution upon dissolution.
Should I request serum or plasma?
Serum and plasma biosamples both come from blood after cell removal, but they differ significantly. Serum is the fluid that remains after blood clots, whereas plasma remains when clotting is prevented by using an anticoagulant and centrifugation. Whether you need serum or plasma depends on your research needs.
What is snap freezing?
Scientists use snap freezing to preserve samples quickly by rapidly cooling them, usually with liquid nitrogen or a dry ice-isopropanol bath.
Why the interest in BLOCKCHAIN?
Blockchain technology offers transformative potential for biobanking by providing a secure and transparent system for managing biological samples. It ensures that every transaction and record related to samples—such as their provenance, consent, and usage—is accurately documented and immutable.
Why not more biorepositories in Africa?
There are a variety of reasons to explain the shortage of African biobanks on this platform. Please note that Biosample Hub is open to partnering with biorepositories and hospital biobanks in Africa, and helping to overcome barriers to access.
Recent Biosample Hub Webinars
Biosample Hub offers free webinars on topics relevant to hospital biorepositories and companies seeking reliable biosamples for research and development.
To see additional webinars, click here to subscribe to our YouTube channel
