Biospecimen Services
NSW Regional Biospecimen Services is a world class specimen processing and biorepository. We support local research, international clinical trials and industry research pipelines. Services including specimen procurement and provision, cataloguing and storage, and blood and tissue processing.
Formerly known as Hunter Cancer Biobank , we have supported researchers in regional NSW since 2012. The service has expanded due to the generous support of NSW Health Pathology, Hunter Cancer Research Alliance/Cancer Institute of NSW, the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute.
Evolving in response to the needs of the research community, we partner with local, national and international researchers. Supporting in cancer, respiratory disease, dietetics, endocrinology, reproductive science, gastrointestinal disease, mental health and neurological disease as well as environmental science. Our service continues to expand. Providing discovery driven services, as well as translational research and clinical trial support.
Responding to unique needs and opportunities
We recognise the unique needs and opportunities of the regional research community. We are actively working to strengthen ties between metropolitan and regional research communities. Partnering with patients, health services and researchers across the state and nationwide, we aim to ensure a sustainable provision of research support that sees the region recognised for research excellence and remaining competitive for future funding schemes on a global scale.
Governance
We're governed by a Management Committee and supported by a scientific advisory committee. The role of these committees is to ensure the development and ongoing function of a comprehensive, innovative, sustainable service that meets the needs of our partners and ensures research excellence.
Standards
Our service operates to the highest ethical standards with a focus on excellence in research governance. All biobanking activities are conducted with ethical approval from the Hunter New England Human Research Ethics Committee in line with best practice standards. Strict compliance to ethical and legal processes is required for all our collaborators. Evidence of compliance is requested before any collaboration or partnerships.
Available services
Our service has a strong track record of excellence in sample management for multi-centre trials, both nationally and internationally.
Our team are equipped to assist with sample management and shipping as well as receipt, cataloguing and distribution of samples on both small and large scales. We have experience providing central laboratory analysis for large scale studies as well as serving as an interim storage site for samples distributed from external sites for long or short term storage.
To find out more, please contact a member of our team.
Our team are contracted as the central study laboratory for a number of large scale cooperative and industry clinical trials. Services range from immunohistochemistry, blood sample processing, DNA and RNA extraction and more. We are also equipped to provide storage and cataloguing services for multi-site studies.
To learn more, please visit our services page or contact a member of our team.
Our team have staff available for bespoke kit preparation and distribution for various multi-centre or large scale studies. Kits can be developed for collection, processing, storage or distribution of samples.
Kits can be produced on both small and large scale, relative to the nature of the trial or research project.
Our service is committed to collaboration on both a national and international scale. Our current partners range from local university academics, to cooperative research groups and industry clients. Our facility is equipped to deal with large volumes with high throughput technologies for advanced biomolecular analysis, clinical trial facilitation or biospecimen collection and storage.
We operate within a strict framework of compliance with standard operating procedures and industry standards to ensure consistency in service.
Quality Control Measures
- All SOPs are approved by the University of Newcastleu2019s Biosafety Committee as part of the safety review process.
- All equipment used receives maintenance and calibration annually u2013 this is documented.
- All staff are trained to work to SOPs by a designated trainer.
- Reagents used in procedures are tracked with lot numbers and expiration dates noted to ensure traceability and consistent specimen handling.
- Planned future participation in external quality assurance and control programs as opportunities are identified and assessed. This will ensure the effectiveness of both the processes and the instruments used.
Any non-conformances that occur during the execution of services will be documented, investigated and reported to the client partner. Corrective actions will be taken to prevent the reoccurrence of non-conformances.
To learn more about the services we provide please visit our services page or contact a member of our team.
Our partners
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.