Resources
Case Study: Biospecimen Locator for the Arizona Biomedical Research Consortium
Client
Arizona Biomedical Research Commission (ABRC).
Background
The Arizona Biomedical Research Commission (ABRC) is establishing a centralized, web-based biospecimen tracking and review management system to support the viewing and ordering of biospecimens stored in physical repositories at member Arizona hospitals and research facilities. The ABRC system, the Arizona Biospecimen Locator (ABL), represents information about the available biospecimens in a consistent and virtual manner to allow researchers to browse and query the biospecimen universe and determine which biospecimens may be suitable for their needs. ABL provides Consortium members with the tools to review and manage biospecimen requests, configure approved orders, and track shipments, receipt of shipments, and disposal or return of biospecimens.
Challenge
“Tissue is the issue” is among the loudest of common refrains heard from those committed to improving the pace of progress of translational research, both in Arizona and across the nation. Finding and acquiring quality biospecimens is one of the largest obstacles researchers face as they strive to advance medical science and improve patient care. The initiative proposed by the ABRC is a tremendous opportunity to change the way science works (collaboratively) and where scientists work (the web) to overcome institutional boundaries, and enhance awareness and access to resources that drive discovery. Facilitating the creation and operation of this “go to” resource for informing the community of the quality biospecimens available, enabling the review of research proposals against the biospecimens requested, and tracking the progress and inventory online is aligned with 5AM’s mission and capabilities to create innovative software solutions to connect the worlds of life science.
Process
ABRC sponsored the creation of the Arizona Biospecimen Consortium (ABC), consisting of the initial set of Arizona institutions participating in the Arizona Biospecimen Locator project. 5AM worked closely with ABRC, from the first meeting of the ABC members, as they started defining the governance policies and standards by which the members would abide. From March 2009, the ABC members met every month to discuss and determine the standard set of data about a biospecimen that should be made available on ABL (based on the data fields defined by the NCI’s Common Biorepository Model) and other standardization needs. Members also defined and agreed to the process by which the ABC would be governed, including the rules for the release of biospecimens from member institutions and a standard Material Transfer Agreement for all ABC members. Using our Glassbox Software Development Process, 5AM coordinated with stakeholders as they defined their workflow and requirements to develop the technical solution in an iterative manner, staying flexible and re-prioritizing requirements as ABC continued to define itself.
Result
The Arizona Biospecimen Locator, as defined by the ABC, will increase the visibility, quality, quantity, and population coverage of biospecimens to the research community, thereby increasing research collaborations inside and outside of Arizona and accelerating the progress of research. Arizona has access to populations of children, seniors, and Hispanic and Native Americans with both normal and diseased tissue that are rare and would contribute greatly to medical research and the advancement of science. The initial set of features for the Arizona Biospecimen Locator has been built, and a public demo site is available at https://abl-demo.5amsolutions.com/tissuelocator-web/browse.action. St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center is poised to be the first pilot site for the application in 2011.
Applied Expertise
Stakeholders or Partners List
- St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital
- Maricopa Integrated Health System
