Large scale biobanking of blood - the importance of high density sample processing procedures

Objective: The aim of this study is a novel automated sample-processing concept for future proteomics and clinical research, performing patient studies from resulting blood fractions in various disease areas. Another aim is biobank storage of small sample volumes, where each sample aliquot can be used for a dedicated clinical analysis and end-point measurement in order to preserve sample integrity and value over time.

Methods: 96 and 384 format sample storage tube systems were utilized for preservation and archiving of clinical patient samples. Automated sample processing and aliquoting were achieved using robotic liquid handling instrumentation, followed by biomarker assay quantitations. Sample workflow was documented and tracked by Nautilus LIMS.

Results: Validation by repetitive processing and analysis confirmed the reliability of automated high density 384 format aliquoting. This high density scaling allows for reproducible aliquoting of 70-μL volumes of blood. Plasma with EDTA, Li-heparin, and citrate, as anti-coagulants, fractioned along with the buffy coat (leukocytes) and the erythrocyte fraction. Large scale processing of 11,000 sample aliquots resulted in a 99.8% process fulfillment.

Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that robust results can be generated from an automated sample processing strategy, isolating plasma, buffy coat, erythrocytes, serum and whole blood, proven by quantitation of 23 common markers used in everyday healthcare around the world. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Integrated omics.