The discovery of biomarkers and the underlying causes of diseases are enabled through the analysis of biological samples and data stored in biobanks. Biological samples and their associated data are expensive to collect and maintain, and it is important to store and manage them efficiently. During processing, samples and data go through a number of procedures and techniques, which are often in different locations and by individuals with different access permissions. It is essential to maintain the link between the samples and their associated data throughout the processes they undergo. This paper presents a novel system of tracking samples and data from collection through processing to storage and retrieval, which is based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This system ensures the security and reliability of sample data as well as location-independent recording and updating of sample data, as they move along the workflow.
['Atieh Zarabzadeh', 'Farzad Hayati', 'R. William G. Watson', 'Geoff Bradley', 'Jane Grimson']
A sample identification and tracking system for biobanks