Luxembourg (07 April 2014) – IBBL (Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg) announces the results of its biorepository Proficiency Testing (PT) Programme, endorsed by ISBER (International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories). This year, for the first time, the biobank was able to offer a PT testing scheme for DNA extraction from whole blood, thanks to the PAXgene® Blood DNA Tube CE, from PreAnalytiX GmbH, a joint venture between leading medical technology company BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) and QIAGEN, a global leader in molecular sample and assay technologies.
High quality biospecimens stored within biorepositories are becoming increasingly important to healthcare professionals and researchers in identifying and validating biomarkers for disease and drug therapy. The optimal management of the collection, processing and storage of these biospecimens is vitally important to reduce pre-analytical error and ensure that samples are of high quality. The aim of IBBL’s PT programme is to allow biorepositories to assess the accuracy of their quality control assays and biospecimens characterisation and to compare their results with those obtained in other laboratories around the world.
Healthcare companies PreAnalytiX and BD, have teamed up with IBBL for one of its key PT testing schemes - ‘DNA Extraction Efficiency’- and supplied PAXgene® Blood DNA Tube CE, a CE marked, 2D barcoded 2.5 ml blood collection tube that stabilizes genomic DNA with validated time and temperature parameters, to help ensure stability of DNA during transportation. For the PT scheme, whole blood was shipped in PAXgene® Blood DNA Tubes from Luxembourg to participants in other European countries, Asia, Australia and the USA, confirming the tube’s suitability for international transportation of whole blood.
“We would not have been able to offer this scheme without the PAXgene® DNA Tube,” comments Dr. Fay Betsou, IBBL’s Chief of Biospecimen Science and Coordinator of the PT programme. “The tube not only stabilises DNA, but it is also compatible with all DNA extraction methods, including magnetic bead-based, silica membrane-based and salting out methods. This is a key factor in PT testing.” Over 90 biorepositories participated in IBBL’s PT programme, of which 23 took part in the ‘DNA Extraction Efficiency’ scheme. All of the participants successfully extracted DNA and the results in terms of DNA yield and purity were coherent and satisfactory in all cases.
For more details of the ISBER endorsed Proficiency Testing Programme, please contact isberpt@ibbl.lu or visit http://www.ibbl.lu/ibbl-services/pt/
For more information concerning the PAXgene® Blood DNA Tube CE, contact your local BD customer services office (www.bd.com) or visit http://www.preanalytix.com/product-catalog/blood/dna/products/paxgene-blood-dna-tube-ce/
About IBBL
IBBL (Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg) is an independent, not-for-profit Luxembourg-based biobank dedicated to improving health outcomes for patients by supporting high standards of medical research. IBBL serves as an international centre of excellence in biobanking, and helps to accelerate the introduction of personalised healthcare in Luxembourg. IBBL collects, stores, and analyses biological samples and associated data, which are made available to research organisations investigating human diseases. IBBL has built an integrated infrastructure offering biospecimens, data, technologies and biospecimen research to support a successful biomedical research industry in Luxembourg and facilitate rapid translation of discoveries into improved care. With the help of the people of Luxembourg, IBBL catalyses partnerships and supports research that translates today’s discoveries into tomorrow’s healthcare solutions. For more information, please visit www.ibbl.lu
About PreAnalytiX GmbH
PreAnalytiX GmbH, a joint venture between BD and QIAGEN, develops, manufactures and sells integrated and standardized systems for collection, stabilization and purification of RNA, microRNA and DNA from blood, bone marrow and tissue specimens. The Company serves healthcare institutions, academic researchers, clinical laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry with a broad array of manual and automated products. For more information, please visit www.preanalytix.com
About QIAGEN
QIAGEN N.V., a Netherlands holding company, is the leading global provider of Sample & Assay Technologies that are used to transform biological materials into valuable molecular information. Sample technologies are used to isolate and process DNA, RNA and proteins from biological samples such as blood or tissue. Assay technologies are then used to make these isolated biomolecules visible and ready for interpretation. QIAGEN markets more than 500 products around the world, selling both consumable kits and automation systems to customers through four customer classes: Molecular Diagnostics (human healthcare), Applied Testing (forensics, veterinary testing and food safety), Pharma (pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies) and Academia (life sciences research). As of December 31, 2013, QIAGEN employed approximately 4,000 people in more than 35 locations worldwide. Further information can be found at www.QIAGEN.com/.
About BD
BD is a leading medical technology company that partners with customers and stakeholders to address many of the world’s most pressing and evolving health needs. Our innovative solutions are focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the diagnosis of infectious diseases and cancers, supporting the management of diabetes and advancing cellular research. We are nearly 30,000 associates in 50 countries who strive to fulfill our purpose of “Helping all people live healthy lives” by advancing the quality, accessibility, safety and affordability of healthcare around the world. For more information, please visit www.bd.com
Contact:
IBBL (Integrated BioBank of Luxembourg)
Arnaud d’Agostini (Marketing & Communication Manager)
Sarah Weiler (Science Communication Officer)
6 rue Nicolas Ernest Barblé
L-1210 Luxembourg
Tel: +352 27 44 64 – 24
Fax: +352 27 44 64 – 64
E-mail: communications@ibbl.lu
Web: www.ibbl.lu
Follow IBBL | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn |
BD: Heather Williams (Communications Manager)
E-mail: Heather_williams@europe.bd.com
Tel: + 44 755 700 1205
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