The initial excitement and growth of biobanks worldwide has faced several challenges related to logistics, ethics, and utility,1,2 which call into question the long-term feasibility of a relationship with the traditional biobank. Perhaps it already feels one-sided, transactional, and unbalanced when trying to fulfill the many needs of a research study design.
Isolating unique cell populations for further experimental analyses can answer critical research questions in translational and clinical research—empowering observational and therapeutic studies. A popular approach is to isolate the heterogeneous population of cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) using the Ficoll method, followed by further purification to yield unique immune cell subsets, such as activated T cells for further downstream analyses.
From autoimmune diseases to neurological conditions to pathogenic infections, researchers studying associated immune-mediated mechanisms hope to uncover novel modulatory approaches for therapeutic intervention. To that end, purified human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) represent a heterogeneous population of cells, including B cells (~15%), T cells (~70%), monocytes (~5%), and natural killer (NK) cells (~10%) that can provide valuable phenotypic and functional information.1
But many factors influence PBMC purification quality.
Access to samples is essential to researchers’ experiments and assays. This is important when researchers are developing a proof of concept and they need a small set of samples, but it’s also important throughout the duration of studies.
At the beginning of their studies, access to data allows researchers to “get their feet” wet and assess their ability to produce real-world data.
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The research process can be an inconvenience and a burden for the patient test subject; currently over 40% of test subjects drop out mid-way through the trial. In traditional research models, study participants travel to a medical facility/study-site for screening, baseline, monitoring, and follow-up visits – depending on the study design.
Sanguine Bioscience, a California-based biotechnology company focused on patient recruitment, sample collection engagement and digital health, has partnered with multiple biotech and pharmaceutical companies, such as Vir Biotechnology and EpiVax, Inc, to facilitate the patient recruitment for over 23 research studies, studies aimed at gaining a better understanding of COVID-19.
We at Sanguine Bioscience have partnered with multiple biotech and pharmaceutical companies, such as Vir Biotechnology and EpiVax, Inc, to facilitate over 23 research studies aimed at gaining a better understanding of COVID-19. Although the overarching goal of this research is to develop treatments and vaccines, valuable information can be obtained about the virus, its patterns of infection, and the effectiveness of community response to the epidemic.
Biotech: Blood samples are raw materials for virus research and development.
by Amy Stulick, Staff Reporter
As pharmaceutical labs race to develop a vaccine for COVID-19, biomaterial for researchers has become increasingly valuable. That works to the advantage of Sanguine Biosciences in Sherman Oaks, which provides blood, tissue, plasma, and other biologic material for R&D.
After recovering from Covid-19 in April, Tom Hanks was so chuffed by the prospect of his plasma being used for medical science that he suggested calling the results a “Hank-cine.” He is not alone. Other former patients are equally enthusiastic about donating blood to the research effort.
Longitudinal studies are powerful tools in medical research armamentarium. Researchers gain valuable information following the same group of people with repeated measured variables over time. This type of research provides rates of change of continuous variable(s) over weeks, months, or years allowing researchers to assess patterns in human behavior or cause and effect relationships.
