Devon Kelly
Oregon Health and Science University, USA
Title: Novel partnering strategies to foster biorepository sustainability
Biography
Biography: Devon Kelly
Abstract
There is a gap between the understanding that researchers have about clinic operations, and that of clinicians in what researchers needs are for quality tissue collection. The subsequent creation of silo workflows results in lost opportunities to gather optimal numbers of quality cases, thereby limiting research utility. With a view towards addressing this gap, the OHSU BioLibrary has been developing strategies for partnering across institutional departments, with the goal of enhancing research outcomes and fostering sustainability. The BioLibrary has developed models for interdepartmental relationships, with consideration of strategies for analyzing the impact of biobanking activities and enlarging the added value (both financial and non-financial) of these partnerships within OHSU. These models include working with clinical department chairs and principal investigators to establish Memos of Understanding that outline the responsibilities of each party in patient consenting, tissue collection, and distribution procedures (including any revenue sharing), and instating liaisons across the groups. By maintaining an interconnected presence in these disparate environments, we have been able to increase donor catchment, collection efficiency and data accuracy. Similarly, there has been an increase in the number of principal investigators that the efforts may support, and generation of value through increased publications, grants and revenues. Institutions should consider different relationship models for biobanking partners, financial sustainability and profit sharing, and strategies for analyzing the impact of biobanking activities when designing their internal processes, with a view towards bridging gaps between the clinic and research arenas.