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Biospecimen Best Practices

Through extensive community and expert input, NCI has identified salient guiding principles pertaining to biospecimens. These principles define state-of-the-science biospecimen resource practices, promote biospecimen and data quality, and support adherence to ethical and legal requirements. These efforts have culminated in the publication of several documents including the NCI Best Practices for Biospecimen Resources ("NCI Best Practices") and our Biospecimen Evidence-Based Practices (BEBP) series. The documents outline the operational, technical, ethical, legal, and policy best practices for the collection, storage, and processing of biospecimens. Recommendations contained within these documents are intended to be adapted, as appropriate, based on the mission and scientific needs of the individual or institution. The NCI Best Practices do not comprise detailed laboratory procedures; rather they consist of principles by which such procedures should be developed by biospecimen resources. While adoption of these guidelines is voluntary, the principles outlined support the goal of optimizing the quality and availability of biospecimens for cancer research.

Best Practices Documents

Download the full Best Practices Archive from 2007 and 2011

Download the full Best Practices translated in Japanese from 2007 and 2011

Other biobanking resources 

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