Abstract
Third Edition
These Best Practices are reviewed periodically and revised to incorporate improved application and research findings that would affect repository work. The reader is advised to check the ISBER web site (www.isber.org) to ensure that the most recent version is available for use.
Printed with permission from the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER)
© 2011 ISBER
All Rights Reserved
Editor-in-Chief
Lori D. Campbell, PhD
Associate Editors
Fay Betsou, PhD
Debra Leiolani Garcia, MPA
Judith G. Giri, PhD
Karen E. Pitt, PhD
Rebecca S. Pugh, MS
Katherine C. Sexton, MBA
Amy P.N. Skubitz, PhD
Stella B. Somiari, PhD
Individual Contributors to the Third Edition
Jonas Astrin, Susan Baker, Thomas J. Barr, Erica Benson, Mark Cada, Lori Campbell, Antonio Hugo Jose Froes Marques Campos, David Carpentieri, Omoshile Clement, Domenico Coppola, Yvonne De Souza, Paul Fearn, Kelly Feil, Debra Garcia, Judith Giri, William E. Grizzle, Kathleen Groover, Keith Harding, Edward Kaercher, Joseph Kessler, Sarah Loud, Hannah Maynor, Kevin McCluskey, Kevin Meagher, Cheryl Michels, Lisa Miranda, Judy Muller-Cohn, Rolf Muller, James O'Sullivan, Karen Pitt, Rebecca Pugh, Rivka Ravid, Katherine Sexton, Ricardo Luis A. Silva, Frank Simione, Amy Skubitz, Stella Somiari, Frans van der Horst, Gavin Welch, Andy Zaayenga
2012 Best Practices for Repositories: Collection, Storage, Retrieval and Distribution of Biological Materials for Research
INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR BIOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REPOSITORIES (ISBER)
INTRODUCTION
ISBER's Best Practices for Repositories (Best Practices) reflect the collective experience of its members and has received broad input from other repository professionals. Throughout this document effective practices are presented for the management of specimen collections and repositories. The term “Best Practice” is used in cases where a level of operation is indicated that is above the basic recommended practice or more specifically designates the most effective practice. It is understood that repositories in certain locations or with particular financial constraints may not be able to adhere to each of the items designated as “Best Practices”. Repositories fitting into either of these categories will need to decide how they might best adhere to these recommendations within their particular circumstances. While adherence to ISBER Best Practices is strictly on a voluntary basis, it is important to note that some aspects of specimen management are governed by national/federal, regional and local regulations. The reader should refer directly to regulations for their national/federal, regional and local requirements, as appropriate.
ISBER has strived to include terminology appropriate to the various specimen types covered under these practices, but here too, the reader should take steps to ensure the appropriateness of the recommendations to their particular repository type prior to the implementation of any new approaches. Important terms within the document are italicized when first used in a section and defined in the glossary.
The ISBER Best Practices are periodically reviewed and revised to reflect advances in research and technology. The third edition of the Best Practices builds on the foundation established in the first and second editions which were published in 2005 and 2008, respectively.
SECTION C: STORAGE EQUIPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTS
SECTION I: BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL TRACKING
SECTION J: PACKAGING AND SHIPPING
SECTION K: SPECIMEN COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND RETRIEVAL
REFERENCES
