We present a case of metastatic malignant melanoma in a patient initially diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, giant cell variant. A forty year old female presented to our institution for a re-resection of a recurrent right parietal lobe mass, presumed to be recurrent glioblastoma multiforme. PET scan during preoperative evaluation revealed a 3 cm left lower lobe lung mass. Metastatic glioblastoma to lung was considered in the differential diagnosis. Resection of the brain mass revealed a highly pleomorphic giant and spindle cell lesion with an immunophenotype strongly supportive of melanoma. Immunostains for melanocytic markers were subsequently performed on the lung biopsy specimen, and demonstrated diffuse staining of the atypical cells, supporting the diagnosis of malignant melanoma in the lung. This case demonstrates the importance of considering melanoma in the differential in any tumor with high grade features.

Biobanks support medical research by facilitating access to biospecimens. Biospecimens that are linked to clinical and molecular information are particularly useful for translational biomedical research. Tracking and managing the biospecimens and their associated data are therefore crucial tasks in the functioning of a biobank. Adequate computing hardware, efficient and comprehensive biobanking software, and cost-effective data storage are needed for proper management of biospecimens. As biobanks build up extensive stores of specimens and patient data, ethical considerations also inevitably arise. Herein, we describe some basic considerations for establishing a biobanking information technology infrastructure that a beginning biobanker needs. Finally, we also discuss trends and future needs in biobanking informatics.

Biobanks are storage places for biospecimens that can be used for current and future scientific research. Biospecimens are exceptional sources of biological data that can be potentially translated from molecular and genetic information to clinically relevant treatment modalities. Examples of such biospecimens include, but are not limited to, blood, skin, hair, saliva, stem cells, DNA, and RNA. The volume of biospecimens worldwide continues to grow at an extraordinary rate posing a challenge for biobanks to manage this growth. Due to the vital role of biobanks in research, an understanding of biobanking sustainability is important. Simply starting to collect biospecimens without strategic planning and cost analysis can lead to failure. Components vital to sustainability include fostering public support, cost-effective banking, funding development, standardized protocols, and interoperability.

The personnel who operate a biomedical biobank should function as a unit to efficiently manage the numerous types of biospecimens that are to be utilized for both clinical and research purposes. Therefore, new staff must be appropriately trained before becoming fully integrated into the work environment. This chapter focuses on several key aspects to this training that should be completed by all personnel. This first step is an orientation where the new trainee is provided with the priorities and expectations of the biobank. The next and perhaps most important step is training on the various safety precautions. The trainee should learn how to protect patient privacy if human biospecimens are involved. They should gain a basic understanding of different types of biospecimens and their vulnerabilities to suboptimal storage conditions. The trainee must learn the various aspects of the day to day work which encompasses the methods and equipment needed for procuring, labeling, handling, tracking, storing, disbursing, and shipping biospecimens. They should become familiar with aspects of quality assurance.

Blood is a widely used biospecimen in the field of biobanking, secondary to the ease with which it is collected along with the wide variety of analytes obtained from it for analysis. It carries the potential to further the search for biomarkers in countless diseases; therefore, the standardization and optimization of blood collection procedures is of importance in assuring reproducibility of results. Here, we briefly review procedures for the procurement, storage, and use of blood and its fractions for biobanking purposes. Select commonly used methods for collecting blood with various vacutainer blood collection tubes are described, along with optimal storage conditions of various samples in short- and long-term situations.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a physiologically essential fluid produced by the brain that is involved in protecting the brain and in the exchange of nutrients and waste products. CSF has long been utilized to confirm clinical suspicion of various infectious and inflammatory disorders, such as meningitis and multiple sclerosis. However, there has been increasing interest in collecting CSF in order to study the clinical significance of additional biomarkers. This chapter outlines the procedures necessary to collect, process, store, and utilize CSF obtained for the purposes of biobanking from both living and deceased patients.

Immunofluorescence (IF) is an important immunochemical technique that allows for detection and localization of a wide variety of antigens in different types of tissues of various cell preparations. IF allows for excellent sensitivity and amplification of signal in comparison to immunohistochemistry, employing various microscopy techniques. There are two methods available, depending on the scope of the experiment or the specific antibodies in use: direct (primary) or indirect (secondary). Here, we describe preparation of specimens preserved in different types of media and step-by-step methods for both direct and indirect immunofluorescence staining.

A biobank is an important nexus between clinical and research aspects of pathology. The collection and storage of high quality surgical samples is essential for diagnosis post-surgery, and can also be used to create vaccines, identify therapeutic targets or establish eligibility of cancer patients in a clinical trial. Therefore, personnel handling surgical tissues should follow standard operating procedures (SOP) to maximize efficiency and preserve tissue quality. This chapter is intended to familiarize novice biobank personnel with the issues associated with different steps of surgical tissue collection including patient consent, sample collection, tissue storage, quality control, and distribution.

The purpose of a biobank is to process, organize, and maintain various types of biospecimens that are to be utilized for both clinical and research-based services. There are different types of biobanks, so the goals of the biobank should be delineated at the outset of forming a biobank. The startup of a biobank benefits from accreditation and stringent adherence to standards of practice. Fundamental to these practices is the protection of privacy and informed consent. A budget must be developed, and sources of funding should be obtained to properly equip the designated space and personnel. The appropriate space for freezers and for biospecimen processing should be identified. Information technology is also a critical part of the biobank and effort should be expended to ensure that this aspect is effective and secure. Given the ethical concerns surrounding biospecimens, engagement with the public is also highly valuable.