The Biospecimen Research Database
Welcome to the Biospecimen Research Database (BRD)!
The BRD is a free and publicly accessible database that contains peer-reviewed primary and review articles as well as SOPs in the field of human Biospecimen Science.
Each literature curation has been created by a Ph.D.-level scientist to capture the following: (1) relevant parameters that include the biospecimen investigated (type and location, patient diagnosis), preservation method, analyte(s) of interest and technology platform(s) used for analysis; (2) the pre-analytical factors investigated, including those relating to pre-acquisition, acquisition, preservation, processing, storage, and analysis; and (3) an original summary of relevant results. Browse literature curations or submit specific queries using the Advanced Search page with keyword search for specific biomakers or genes, PubMed ID, or pre-analytical factor values (anticoagulant, fixative, reagent, etc).
SOPs are organized in a hierarchy system consisting of two tiers: (1) SOPs, established protocols; and (2) Biospecimen Evidence-based Practices (BEBP), procedural guidelines developed using literature evidence. SOP-tiered documents are a product of the Source organization specified. SOPs shared by external organizations are done so only with their consent, and have not been vetted by BBRB. SOP documents are searchable by keyword, or by curated fields (source organization, tier, applicable biospecimens, and topic) on the Search SOPs page. Related SOP documents are assembled in Compendiums, which are viewable on the SOP Compendiums page. You can also create your own Compendium and download SOPs together rather than individually.
We encourage you to submit SOPs from your lab or institution for inclusion in the BRD by clicking on the Submit an SOP tab or at biospecimens@mail.nih.gov. Individuals and organizations that suggest articles for inclusion in the BRD will receive acknowledgement on the paper's curation page. Articles may be submitted by clicking on the Suggest a New Paper tab or via the email above. Feedback is also welcome.
The BRD is an initiative of the NCI Biorepositories and Biospecimen Research Branch (BBRB).
Featured Paper
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This study investigated the effects of tissue microarray section storage duration and condition on breast cancer markers staining of FFPE breast tumor specimens. Tumor tissue cores (collection and processing details not provided) were obtained from 148 breast cancer patients (60 patients positive for ER, PR, and HER2 markers and 88 with triple-negative breast cancer). Three 0.6 mm formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue cores per patient were arrayed into a paraffin block. Tissue microarrays were sectioned (4 μm) and stained immediately (fresh) or after storage at 4°C, at -20°C, or at -80°C, in a desiccator at room temperature, or paraffin-dipped at 4°C after 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, or 12 months. Sections were stained in an autostainer (60 cases for ER, PR, and HER2 and 90 cases stained with Cytokeratin 5/6, EGFR, and Ki67) and digitally scanned using Aperio Scan-Scope XT with ×20 bright-field microscopy.
Biospecimens
- Tissue - Breast
Platform:
Technology Platform Analyte Tissue microarray Protein Immunohistochemistry Protein
News and Announcements
New SOP Compendiums on Snap-freezing Tissue
Two new compendiums of SOPs related to snap-freezing tissue specimens are now available:
For SOPs that specify dry ice CLICK HERE.
For SOPs that specify liquid nitrogen CLICK HERE.
The NCI BEBP document for snap-freezing tissue can be found HERE.
ISBER 2020 Electronic Posters Now Available!
CLICK HERE to view the ISBER 2020 electronic poster on the BRD.
View other's electronic posters on the ISBER 2020 main page HERE.
More...