Utilizing In-House Resources to Correct Sample Mixups in a Medium Throughput Biorepository: A Case Study.

Given the high demands on a multidisciplinary approach to sample collection, and despite the rigorous quality assurance and quality control measures designed to minimize sample misidentification in our state of the art biorepository, the potential for error is still a concern. Measures to deal with potential uncertainties are a necessary part of every successful biobanking operation. The Beaumont BioBank and associated Core Molecular Laboratory have developed procedures to address these rare incidents. Here we present a case study of occurrences in the Beaumont BioBank in which the identity of samples was uncertain and a resolution workflow was implemented to quickly remove the ambiguity. Using Core Molecular Laboratory in-house resources, including Mass Array technology and the valuable insight and experience from a multidisciplinary team, a comprehensive troubleshooting schema has been developed and applied toward resolving sample identification uncertainties. As per standard operating procedures, each step of these incidents was recorded and a final report prepared.