Novel partnering strategies to foster biorepository sustainability

2^nd International Conference & Exhibition on Tissue preservation and Bio-banking

September 12-13, 2016 Philadelphia, USA

Devon Kelly

Oregon Health and Science University, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Tissue Sci Eng

Abstract :

There is a gap between the understanding that researchers have about clinic operations, and that of clinicians in what researchers needs are for quality tissue collection. The subsequent creation of silo workflows results in lost opportunities to gather optimal numbers of quality cases, thereby limiting research utility. With a view towards addressing this gap, the OHSU BioLibrary has been developing strategies for partnering across institutional departments, with the goal of enhancing research outcomes and fostering sustainability. The BioLibrary has developed models for interdepartmental relationships, with consideration of strategies for analyzing the impact of biobanking activities and enlarging the added value (both financial and non-financial) of these partnerships within OHSU. These models include working with clinical department chairs and principal investigators to establish Memos of Understanding that outline the responsibilities of each party in patient consenting, tissue collection, and distribution procedures (including any revenue sharing), and instating liaisons across the groups. By maintaining an interconnected presence in these disparate environments, we have been able to increase donor catchment, collection efficiency and data accuracy. Similarly, there has been an increase in the number of principal investigators that the efforts may support, and generation of value through increased publications, grants and revenues. Institutions should consider different relationship models for biobanking partners, financial sustainability and profit sharing, and strategies for analyzing the impact of biobanking activities when designing their internal processes, with a view towards bridging gaps between the clinic and research arenas.

Biography :

Devon Kelly is a Molecular Biologist with over 16 years’ experience in specimen repository management, 10 years within pharmacogenetics research and 5 years in basic research. Currently, she focuses on standardizing oncology repository practices, including the methods by which patients are consented to donate biological samples, how the specimens are collected and stored, and in how annotative data is managed. She is a member of the International Society of Biological and Environmental Repositories, and has gained accreditation of her biobank from the College of American Pathologists.

Email: kellyde@ohsu.edu