Biopreservation and Biobanking最新文献

The COVID-19 pandemic, spanning from early 2020 to late 2022, posed unprecedented challenges for global public health. However, it also spurred innovative approaches to pandemic management, notably the development of pathogen detection in wastewater. It was successfully demonstrated that wastewater analysis can not only reflect ongoing COVID-19 infections but also serve as an early indicator of disease prevalence within communities. Recognizing the value of longitudinal analyses of various pathogens, we identified the need for wastewater biobanking. This practice allows for the retrospective analysis of samples, offering critical public health insights at the population level. Moreover, the potential to transport and store biobanked samples at ambient temperature or in a dry state could greatly enhance the utility of this technology, especially in resource-limited settings such as low- and middle-income countries. This article also addresses the ethical considerations and public health implications of wastewater-based epidemiology. While this approach holds significant potential beyond pathogen detection, it is essential to evaluate the benefits and potential risks carefully.

Background: Biological material and health information from patients are valuable for medical research. Under a "broad" consent model, hospital patients in Norway can consent to their biological material and health information being stored in research biobanks and used for "specific, broadly defined research purposes" within a specified medical research area but not for medical research in general. Patients are asked to provide new consent each time researchers wish to use their material in a different medical research area. This study investigated patient representatives' views on having a general consent for medical research without limitation to specific research purposes. We also investigated preferences for the storage of biological samples, the process of consent collection, and factors motivating or hindering consent. Method: An online, anonymous survey was shared with patient representatives from patient advisory councils at hospitals in Norway, who answered the survey on behalf of patients. A total of 157 representatives completed the survey (response rate of 41%). Results: A majority (66.2%) supported general consent for medical research and the use of surplus material for medical research in general (63.7%) without limitation to specific research purposes. A minority (35%) supported the use of surplus material without being informed. Sixty-five percent agreed that biological samples could be stored with no time limitation. Over half (56%) preferred to ask patients to consent prior to a hospital visit, and the majority (70.7%) supported the possibility of choosing between digital or paper consent. Factors motivating consent included the desire to contribute to medical research (89.8%) and faith in scientific progress (24.2%). Main hindrances included the fear that health information may be used for other purposes than research (49%), uncertainty regarding research uses (43.9%), and lack of information (31.8%). Conclusion: A move toward a general consent for medical research may better comply with patients' wishes and maximize research potential.

Background: Biobanking of prostate cancer tissue is crucial for advancing biomarker-guided precision medicine. However, there is no standardized optimal protocol for biobanking prostatectomy specimens. This study aims to compare the representativeness and sustainability of two biobanking protocols-"Punch" and "Slice"-currently used in Norway. Methods: Fresh frozen tissue from 40 radical prostatectomy specimens was biobanked using both the Punch and Slice protocols. Following macroscopic evaluation, a 2 mm thick transverse slice of the prostate (Slice protocol) was collected and stored in an ultra-freezer for future drill biopsy subsampling, guided by histopathological assessment of adjacent formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. After the slice was collected, five cylindrical tissue samples were punched from the cut surfaces (Punch protocol). Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the sampling precision and time consumption of both protocols. Results: Cancerous tissue was successfully sampled in 87.5% of cases using the Punch protocol and 75% of cases using the Slice protocol. Both methods yielded comparable results in terms of the number of cancerous cores and the ability to sample tissue representing the highest Gleason grade. The mean biobanking time of tissue slices was 4.9 minutes compared to 15.1 minutes for the ready-to-use tissue punches. Both methods have previously been shown to provide high-quality RNA extracts. Conclusion: Both biobanking protocols are effective for sampling prostate cancer tissue, with no significant difference in precision or quality. The choice between protocols should consider factors such as resource availability, tissue quantity, and specific research needs. The Punch protocol is less resource-intensive overall, while the Slice protocol collects vastly more tissue, has a shorter period of ischemia, and provides detailed mapping of biobanked components, allowing for further subsampling at multiple time points.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the organelle responsible for protein folding in the cell. The damage that may occur during the freezing process of the sperm can exceed the protein loading capacity in the ER. Antioxidants, such as coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀), are added to freezing media to protect sperm cells. In this study, the aim was to investigate the expression levels of ER stress-related genes (protein kinase-like ER kinase [PERK], activating transcription factor 4 [ATF4], CCAAT-enhancer-binding-protein homologous protein [CHOP], and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [NRF2]) and quality parameters (viability, motility, acrosome status, and plasma membrane integrity) of mice sperm after freezing with an extender containing CoQ₁₀. Male BALB/c mouse spermatozoa were cryopreserved using a combination of 18% raffinose + 3% skimmed milk and 50 µM CoQ₁₀. The combination of 18% raffinose + 3% skimmed milk without CoQ₁₀ was used as the control group. The results showed that post-thaw sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity, and intact acrosome rates were significantly higher in the CoQ₁₀-supplemented group compared with the control (untreated) group (p < 0.05). The expression of ER stress-related genes was then analyzed to investigate whether CoQ₁₀ attenuates ER stress in frozen-thawed sperm. The results significantly revealed that the addition of 50 µM CoQ₁₀ to the extender increased PERK, ATF4, and CHOP mRNA levels compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Next, NRF2 gene expression was analyzed to investigate whether CoQ₁₀ affects the antioxidant mechanism of post-thaw sperm. It was revealed that the expression of the NRF2 gene significantly increased in the CoQ₁₀ group compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Collectively, these results suggest that the freeze-thaw process induces ER stress in mouse sperm, and the supplementation of CoQ₁₀ to the cryoprotectant agent reduces ER stress-related genes, activates the gene related to the antioxidant defense system, and improves post-thaw sperm quality parameters.

Introduction: Long-term storage of bee semen by freezing is a critical process for both the preservation of the genetic material and the sustainability of beekeeping activities. It has been observed that low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) increase sperm quality after freezing and thawing. Although studies have been conducted on the use of LDL for this purpose in different animal species, no research has been conducted on honeybee semen to date. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of using LDL instead of egg yolk (EY) on sperm quality and fertilization rate by examining the effects of different LDL ratios (2.5%, 5%, 10%, 25%) on bee semen. Methods: Sperm collection was conducted using a Schley-type device, resulting in six distinct groups, including both no-supplemented and experimental groups. In the first experiment, sperm collected from 36 drones were diluted with varying LDL concentrations before being frozen and thawed; motility, membrane integrity, viability, and longevity were measured. In the second experiment, a total of 56 virgin sister queens, 8 from each group, were inseminated. Results: In the group containing 25% LDL, a significant increase was observed in the motility, membrane integrity, and viability rates of frozen-thawed honeybee sperm. In the group containing 25% EY, there was a clear decrease in these parameters; moreover, the lifespan of the sperm was significantly reduced. In the groups, the highest value in terms of fertility was observed in the 25% LDL group, and the lowest value was determined in the 25% EY-added group. Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that the addition of 25% LDL significantly enhanced both sperm quality and fertility rate in honeybees.

Aim: The poultry sector is currently witnessing heavy demand for its products especially meat, which is expected to intensify in the coming years. However, while Japanese quail displays a lot of promise to help meet the soaring demands, its sustainable production requires assisted reproduction via sperm cryopreservation. Hence, the current study was designed to elucidate the impact of cryopreservation on Japanese quail semen quality, antioxidant potential, and mitochondrial activity and intra-species variation in terms of freeze-tolerance.

Materials and methods: Semen was collected individually from seven mature males, diluted with NaCl extender and cryopreserved. Samples were analyzed for sperm motility, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity, viability, DNA fragmentation, and biochemical parameters at the fresh collection, post-dilution, post-cooling, post-equilibration, and post-thaw stages of freezing.

Results: Sperm motility, plasma membrane and acrosomal integrity, viability, antioxidant potential, scavenging capacity, and mitochondrial activity were reduced (p < 0.05) and DNA fragmentation was increased (p < 0.05) at all the stages of cryopreservation. Further, all the parameters were negatively correlated with DNA fragmentation during cryopreservation. The percent incline rates for DNA fragmentation and decline rates for the rest of the parameters in individual birds showed intra-species variation (p < 0.05) with respect to freeze-tolerance.

Conclusion: Japanese quail semen quality, antioxidant potential, and mitochondrial activity are severely affected by the freezing process and the level of freeze-resilience varies among individuals.

Biobanks are indispensable for advancing biomedical research, yet they face challenges in operational inefficiency, underutilization of specimens, and ethical governance. The Biobank Ethical AI Compliance and Optimization Navigator (BEACON) addresses these challenges by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance sample management, optimize workflows, and ensure ethical compliance. BEACON integrates advanced methodologies, including retrieval-augmented generation systems, embedding-based semantic search, and GPT-powered response generation, to provide precise and transparent specimen allocation. Real-world validation through collaboration with the Advancing Sight Network demonstrated BEACON's capability to enhance biobank workflows and foster community trust by offering transparent and explainable AI-driven decisions. BEACON's modular design aligns with International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories Best Practices, ensuring scalability and adaptability across diverse biobank infrastructures. This work presents BEACON as a case study to illustrate the transformative potential of AI in addressing operational inefficiencies and promoting equitable, sustainable biobanking operations worldwide.

Background: Biorepositories facilitate research and clinical studies in many settings. Modern biobanks use state-of-the art storage methods and low temperatures, while many older collections of biospecimens have been stored at less optimal temperatures. The Janus Serum Bank Cohort in Norway holds over 700,000 serum samples collected decades ago and stored at -25°C. To obtain insights in the stability of serum components at -25°C over prolonged times, we performed 7 measurements for increasing storage time up to 108 months for a panel of 15 serum components.

Method: A selection of analytes (proteins, an enzyme, electrolytes, small molecules, hormones, lipids, and a vitamin) were measured in serum from 40 anonymous donors. The serum components were measured in fresh samples and after 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 72, and 108 months in storage at -25°C. We tested for variations using analysis of variance and paired sample t-tests and performed trend analyses for these serum component levels against time.

Results: All measured serum components showed differences in values for at least one of the timepoints. Trend analyses identified significantly decreasing levels for nine components, whereas four components showed significantly increasing levels. Two components did not show significant trends.

Conclusion: Storage of serum at -25°C may result in changes in serum analyte levels over time. We cannot exclude that batch effects of assaying kits; laboratory instrument changes and standards contributed to the observed differences. To mitigate the influence of increasing storage time, storage time should be used as matching criteria for control samples included in research projects.

Introduction: The collection and preservation of postmortem genetic material from recently deceased animals of rare and endangered species represent a critical yet underexplored avenue in conservation biology. While extensive research has been conducted on the human postmortem interval (PMI), there is a notable gap in understanding the postmortem preservation of germplasm in endangered species. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of apoptosis in various tissues of the Yangtze sturgeon at different postmortem time points, and to provide a reference for identifying the optimal time window for germplasm preservation in rare and endangered fish in the wild. Methods: Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphated nick-end labeling assay and tissue morphology analyses were used to investigate apoptosis in the brain, heart, fin, liver, gonad, muscle, spleen, and skin of the Yangtze sturgeon at five different time points 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 hours postmortem. Results: The results revealed a dynamic pattern of apoptosis. All tissues exhibited a time-dependent increase in apoptotic rate, indicating a clear correlation between PMI and apoptosis progression. This temporal pattern underscores the importance of timely genetic resource preservation, as the integrity of genetic material deteriorates progressively after death. Histomorphological analysis further demonstrated progressive degradation of tissue structure, especially in metabolically active tissues such as the gonad and fin. Conclusion: Based on the findings, we recommend that the genetic resources of the Yangtze sturgeon be preserved as soon as possible after death, particularly within the first 12 hours when tissue integrity remains sufficient for viable cell isolation or cryopreservation. This window is critical for metabolically active tissues, which show marked changes over time and may be important for postmortem identification. Further research should explore cryopreservation and antioxidant treatments to extend the preservation window for germplasm resources, ensuring the long-term viability of these valuable genetic materials.

Background: The German Biobank Node (GBN) coordinates the national network of academic biobanks in Germany; the German Biobank Alliance (GBA). At the beginning of 2025, the GBA consisted of 42 biobanks. With an upcoming strategic reorientation, the GBN/GBA was interested in understanding the perspectives of their community to ensure that strategic decisions were aligned with their needs and interests. Materials and Methods: An online survey with a cross-sectional design was conducted with the GBA community, targeting mostly first-line management of GBA biobanks. The invitation to the survey was sent via an internal GBA mailing list. It addressed primarily satisfaction with GBN/GBA services, organization of and collaboration within GBN/GBA, and expectations/wishes for the future. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. Results: Participants generally considered being part of GBA to be important to very important. They emphasized the opportunity to network and exchange with colleagues as particularly helpful, but also training opportunities and quality management (QM) tools provided. In terms of organization, they found that the benefits of cooperating within GBA largely outweighed efforts and that opportunities to participate in processes were adequate. However, they also identified areas for improvement, for example, in the provision of information on how to join or establish working groups. In terms of relevant future topics, participants identified lobbying, networking within and outside GBA, training, and QM as particularly important priorities for GBN/GBA, as well as securing funding and strengthening local cooperation for individual biobanks. Discussion: The findings have informed the strategic development of GBN/GBA, with QM, education, and networking being the top future priorities. In terms of networking, the GBN/GBA has emphasized the importance of making the perspective of the community heard in other national networks. How to address sustainable funding remains an open question.