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Swiss Biobank Safeguards Genomic Clinical Samples

Company News Thursday, August 14, 2014: EngNet - Engineering Network

To support genomic clinical research, being undertaken to prepare the local area for personalized medicine, the Institutional Biobank of Lausanne (Lausanne, Switzerland) has invested in 2D sample storage consumables from Micronic to safeguard its valuable samples.

The Institutional Biobank of Lausanne (BIL) was created to support clinical research and more specifically research in genomics. After the sequencing of all local patient samples in the biobank, BIL aims to exploit the genomic and clinical data for specific research projects. This data will be used to better understand disease, better target individuals who respond to treatment (personalized medicine) as well as identify patients who consent to participate in future clinical trials. The BIL collection of over 300,000 human samples is based on 5 years of preparatory work.

Mrs Chapatte, an operational assistant in the Department of Biomedicine at BIL, commented “After a careful evaluation of different sample storage consumables we selected Micronic 0.75 ml 2D-coded tubes together with screw caps and storage racks to provide high integrity, long-term storage of our patient blood, serum and plasma samples at –80°C ”.  Mrs Chapatte added "We chose Micronic because of their strong reputation in Biobank sample storage, the good quality of their automation-compatible products and the assured traceability that their laser etched 2D coded tubes provide".

Manufactured in a fully automated Class 7 cleanroom environment - Micronic 0.75ml sample storage tubes exhibit excellent product consistency and near zero contaminants.  Produced from only top quality, ultra-pure polypropylene ensures that the storage tubes are compliant with USP Class 6 and European Pharmacopeia tests. The tubes resist many organic solvents (DMSO, methanol, dichloromethane), may be autoclaved and can be repeatedly freeze-thawed without loss of product performance. A unique laser etched 2D code on the bottom of each tube provides an easy and unambiguous means of storing and identifying samples.  The optimised internal shape of each Micronic sample storage tube ensures the lowest possible dead volume and maximum sample recovery.  Designed to fit 96 individual tubes into a standard footprint rack optimises use of valuable freezer space and ensures automation compatibility.

For further information relating to Institutional Biobank of Lausanne please visit  www.chuv.ch/biobanque/bil-services-7.htm. For further information on sample storage solutions for biobanking please contact Micronic Europe B.V. (Asia, Africa, Europe and Oceania) or Micronic America LLC (North, Central and South America).

Micronic is a leading global supplier of secure sample storage solutions to Biobanking and laboratory facilities. Dedicated to the design and production of innovative sample storage solutions for over 30 years, Micronic is uniquely able to offer laboratories the expert advice to help them safeguard one of their most valuable assets - its samples.