Scientific research takes place in stages and is carried out step by step. For instance, when scientists derive DNA from humans and animals or collect bacterial strains, they need bio storage to store the samples as they continue with their research. Without access to sample storage that will support the survival of the highly-sensitive biosamples, the research would be crippled, and scientists would have to start all over again each time. This is where Biobanks come in. Biobanks are cold storages that are used to store, process, and facilitate the dissemination of biosamples such as DNA, blood, and urine. Through biobanking, scientists can store research samples safely for as long as they wish without compromising the quality of their research results.
The benefits of biobanking are well felt in the pharmaceutical industry, which heavily relies on scientific research to advance pharmaceutical standards. Biobanks are indispensable when conducting large scale research, where scientists deal with hundreds of biosamples. Especially when researchers are working to find treatment for a viral pandemic, they will need to store thousands of biosamples that will help them develop a treatment formula.
As such, most countries and health industries have invested in biobanking despite the high cost involved in setting up and running the biobanks. Seeing that the benefits of biobanking overlap the cost, investors in the health sector need to continue investing in Biobanks. With the global pharma market expected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2022, you can bet that Biobanks will increase in demand and utility. However, due to the high cost of installation and operations, Biobanks are not available in developing countries, especially those in Africa. As the global economy grows, it is expected that more of these developing countries will be able to afford Biobanking and, in turn, accelerate medical research in their countries.
Here are more benefits of biobanking that scientists and researchers enjoy.
1. HELPS SCIENTISTS REPRODUCE RESEARCH
Hundreds of scientists conduct experimental research every day, but only a small number of them can reproduce the research. The main obstacle the scientists face is the high lab costs that most cannot afford. Since collecting samples from the subjects of research is one of the first steps in any scientific research, scientists find themselves with biosamples but without proper storage. Some may find alternative storage, but this often ends up compromising the quality of the research results as the process of storage, retrieval, and transportation of the samples may not be well-controlled. By utilizing biobanking, more scientists can reproduce their research as the biobanks buy them time to conduct further research using the original samples in storage.
2. GIVES A SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH MORE CREDIBILITY
As trained professionals and experienced scientists operate biobanks, there is little or no room for common errors in research occurring. Scientists are assured that there will be no foreign interference to their samples. Given that most of the samples utilized in research are delicate and temperature-sensitive, even a little negligence will compromise the quality of the results.
3. REDUCES THE COST OF SAMPLE STORAGE
With the high cost of conducting research and collecting samples, the last thing you want is your samples being comprised while in storage. Biobanks eliminate this possibility and give a researcher more peace of mind that his/her study samples are original hence, the best possible results will be achieved. Additionally, scientists who work privately and may not afford to set up big labs can rent storage space in the Biobanks. This does not only save them on cost but also on time they would use to get certification even for a small research lab.
The benefits of biobanking are vital in the pharmaceutical industry as they boost the quality of research done. For researchers and scientists and other players in the health industry, biobanks play a crucial role by helping them coordinate research more professionally and accurately. The future of science lies in utilizing advanced technology and biobanking is one of the advances in the right direction. Therefore, every biological pharmaceutical, whether big or small, should purpose to embrace this technology as we strive to get scientific solutions to real-life problems.
