You can get cell samples from various places, including repositories, laboratories, and companies like Precision for Medicine. But not all cell samples are created equal. Precision for Medicine has put together a four-point checklist addressing such considerations as data availability, patient consent, time and freshness, and industry standards. Following this checklist will help guide your decisions about where and how to source the best cell samples for your research.
Do your cells come with the right data?
Every type of research requires a different type of data. Before choosing your cells, make sure they have a detailed certificate of analysis verifying that they come with the data needed for the specific assay you are running. For example, if your assay requires cells with a specific HLA type, you’ll need to make sure that your cells carry an HLA certificate.
For the greatest flexibility, choose cells that have been certified for multiple assays. This will allow you to pursue new lines of inquiry using the same cells.
Are the patients consented, and how much do you know about them?
Make sure you understand what regulations concerning patient consent and cell use are in place at your institution and in your country. There is a constant debate about what exactly “patient consent” means and when it is required, so follow whatever regulations apply to you and your research.
Usually, consent is required when cell lines are not anonymous. And if you want to reach a more precise level in your research, you’ll want to have access to a detailed patient history for each cell sample you use. Everything from age and gender to comorbidities could affect results, so it’s important to know where your cells come from.
Additionally, you may choose to select your cells based on patient characteristics, such as exposure to specific medications and vaccination status.
Are the cells rapidly isolated after blood draw?
The best results come from fresh cells, which means that you’ll want to minimize the time between blood draw and PBMC isolation. Fortunately, companies like Precision have a wide global network of labs, ensuring that transfers are quick and processing is prompt, no matter where the patient cohort is located.
Has the sample collection been executed to the highest industry standards?
Many companies claim to process their samples, but be aware that not all sample processing is equal. Before you invest in cells, brush up on industry standards and check that your supplier’s processes, products, and services are certified to meet them.
Using this checklist in your selection process will help to ensure that you get the most appropriate and highest quality cells for your specific needs. Evaluate each potential supplier carefully, and consider Precision. Their wide network of labs and rigorous processing standards allow them the ability to deliver high quality cells in a timely fashion. Visit BuyPBMCs.com to learn more.
Precision is altering the course, pace, and quality of research, starting at the very beginning—the biospecimen. The company leverages the expertise of leading industry scientists, the power of global operations, and the convenience of centralized sourcing to offer a full range of biospecimen solutions. In addition, two industry innovators—ProMedDx and GLAS—are joining Precision for Medicine, bringing science, scale, and service to biomarker research and commercialization.
The Precision for Medicine Biospecimen Solutions e-commerce website will launch in early 2020.