Save the Date!
ISBER 2012 Annual Meeting & Exhibits
Westin Bayshore Hotel
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
May 15-18, 2012

 

More Information

Registration

FAQ

Participant's Manual

 

Timeline

 

Registration Open	Sep. 23, 2011
Registration Close	Oct. 19, 2011
Sample Shipment	Oct. 24 - Nov. 4, 2011
Submission of Results	Nov. 18, 2011
Reporting	February 2011

Note: Samples will be sent to all participants at the same time.

 

 

ISBER Proficiency Testing (PT) Program

ISBER is pleased to announce the launching of a Biorepository Proficiency Testing Program. Developed in collaboration with the Integrated Biobank of Luxembourg (IBBL), the PT program is designed to:

• allow biorepositories to assess the accuracy of their quality control assays and their characterization of biospecimens
• compare results with those obtained in other laboratories around the world
• allow biorepositories to identify testing problems that may be related to individual staff performance or calibration of instrumentation used in biospecimen quality control
• provide guidance to biorepositories so they can take appropriate remedial action to be in compliance with ISO/IEC 17043:2010, providing a necessary External Quality Assessment tool for biorepositories who wish to seek accreditation (ISO 17025, CLIA or equivalent). [To learn more about requirements, click here.]

Program Details

The ISBER PT Program includes four inter-laboratory testing Schemes:

• DNA Quantification and Purity
• RNA Integrity
• Cell Viability -- available 2012
• Tissue Antigenicity -- available 2012

In each scheme, test items will be shipped to the biorepository facility, which will then use its routine testing methods to assess the samples. Results can be submitted online using the following methods:

DNA Quantification and Purity

Spectrophotometry (ng/µl and 260/280 ratio)

Spectrofluorometry (ng/µl)

Microfluidics LabOnchip (ng/µl)

Other (ng/µl)

Review the DNA Test Item Information Sheet

Review the DNA Online Result Submission Guidelines

RNA Integrity

Agilent Bioanalyzer (RIN)

Biorad Experion (RIN)

Screen Tape R6K (SDV)

Other (RIN, RQI, or SDV)

Review the RNA Test Item Information Sheet 

Review the RNA Online Result Submission Guidelines

If you register for multiple methods, you will only be able to submit one result per method listed (including Other).  Please contact the ISBER office (PTisber@asip.org) if you would like to have additional methods included in future rounds.

ISBER will assess test results and include them in a statistical analysis process. Each participant will receive a personalized report that will show how their biorepository’s results compare to all participants’ results, including an overall summary statistical analysis.

For more information, please download the Participant’s Manual and/or the FAQs.