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Adaptation of a biobank certification program for Australia

Jane E Carpenter, Amanda Rush and Candace Carter
Med J Aust 2017; 206 (7): . || doi: 10.5694/mja16.01147
Published online: 17 April 2017

Biobanking involves the collection, processing, storage and distribution of biospecimens and data, and, in recent years, it has rapidly evolved to become an integral component in biomedical research.1 Biobanks may range in complexity from a single researcher storing their own material to large stores of material used by multiple researchers. This diversity has complicated the standardisation of biobanking practices,2,3 sometimes compromising biospecimen quality and storage capacity4 and the security of funding. In turn, irreproducible research results, poor biospecimen access and decreased public confidence may ensue.4


  • 1 Biobanking Services, New South Wales Health Pathology, Sydney, NSW
  • 2 Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW



Competing interests:

No relevant disclosures.

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  • 3. Moore HM. Moving toward biospecimen harmonization with evidence-based practices. Biopreserv Biobank 2014; 12: 79-80.
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