Expanding Global Tissue Procurement Networks

The demand for high-quality human tissue samples has never been greater. From oncology research to regenerative medicine and drug development, access to diverse and ethically sourced human tissues is critical for advancing science. However, despite the increasing need, gaps in global tissue procurement networks limit researchers’ ability to obtain samples that reflect diverse populations and disease states.

At BioSample Connect, we recognize the urgency of expanding global tissue procurement efforts. In this blog post, we discuss the importance of strengthening international biospecimen collection networks and how doing so can accelerate medical breakthroughs.

The Need for Robust Tissue Procurement Networks

Human tissue samples are invaluable in biomedical research. They enable scientists to:

1. Study Disease Progression – Access to tissue from patients with various diseases, including cancer, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions, allows researchers to understand how these diseases develop at a cellular and molecular level.

2. Develop Personalized Medicine – Precision medicine relies on studying tissue samples from diverse genetic backgrounds to tailor treatments to individual patients. Without a broad procurement network, therapies may be biased toward limited population groups.

3. Test New Drug Therapies – Pharmaceutical companies require high-quality human tissues for preclinical drug testing. Without adequate tissue samples, promising drugs may not undergo the necessary validation before clinical trials.

4. Advance Regenerative Medicine – Researchers developing cell-based therapies or tissue engineering solutions depend on access to well-preserved human tissues to refine their techniques and improve patient outcomes.

Despite these needs, tissue procurement faces several challenges that limit access to high-quality, ethically sourced samples.

Challenges in Global Tissue Procurement

While biobanks and research organizations collect tissue samples, several obstacles hinder the expansion of procurement networks worldwide:

• Limited Geographic Reach: Many existing biobanks and procurement programs are concentrated in North America and Europe, leaving researchers with fewer options for sourcing tissue from underrepresented populations.
• Regulatory Barriers: Each country has different regulations governing tissue donation, collection, and distribution. The lack of standardized global guidelines creates logistical and legal challenges.
• Ethical Considerations: Obtaining human tissue samples requires strict adherence to ethical guidelines, including informed consent, donor privacy, and sample traceability. These requirements vary by region, making international collaboration complex.
• Supply Chain & Logistics: Tissues must be collected, stored, and transported under specific conditions to preserve their viability for research. Inconsistent infrastructure across regions leads to variability in sample quality.

To address these challenges, there is a pressing need to strengthen global procurement networks and streamline international collaboration.

Strategies for Expanding Tissue Procurement Networks

1. Developing International Partnerships
Expanding procurement networks requires collaboration between hospitals, research institutions, and commercial biobanks. Establishing agreements between tissue providers worldwide will help researchers access diverse, high-quality samples.

2. Harmonizing Ethical and Regulatory Standards
International guidelines, such as those set by the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) and the World Medical Association (WMA), should be adopted to ensure ethical and regulatory consistency across procurement efforts.

3. Investing in Logistics and Cold Chain Infrastructure
Advanced logistics solutions, including temperature-controlled shipping and digital tracking systems, can ensure that tissues maintain their integrity from collection to delivery. Investing in these capabilities will improve access to high-quality specimens worldwide.

4. Encouraging Tissue Donation Programs
Public awareness campaigns can help increase voluntary tissue donation for research purposes. Establishing more donor programs in regions with limited tissue procurement infrastructure will provide researchers with greater access to samples.

The Impact of Expanded Procurement Networks on Science

A stronger global tissue procurement network will benefit multiple areas of research, including:

• Cancer Research: Access to fresh tumor samples from diverse populations can help scientists identify novel therapeutic targets and develop more effective treatments.
• Neuroscience: Human brain tissue samples are essential for studying neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Improved procurement networks can accelerate discoveries in this field.
• Infectious Disease Research: Studying tissues from individuals affected by emerging infectious diseases can provide critical insights into pathogen-host interactions and immune responses.

Conclusion

Expanding global tissue procurement networks is essential for advancing biomedical research, developing new therapies, and ensuring equitable healthcare solutions. At BioSample Connect, we are committed to bridging these gaps by fostering international partnerships, ensuring ethical compliance, and optimizing biospecimen logistics.

By working together, researchers, clinicians, and procurement organizations can build a more comprehensive and accessible global network for tissue collection—ultimately driving innovation in medicine and improving patient outcomes worldwide.

Sources:

• Gunning, J., et al. (2020). The role of biobanks in translational medicine: Challenges and opportunities. Nature Reviews Genetics, 21(10), 585-597. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41576-020-0261-1
• ISBER Best Practices: Recommendations for Repositories (4th Edition). International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories. Available at: https://www.isber.org/page/BPR