New database offers an efficient solution to locate and procure human tissue samples

An online service that positions itself as the "Craigslist of biospecimens" aims to eliminate one of the most costly bottlenecks in biomedical R&D - delays in obtaining specimens suitable for research.

SpecimenCentral.com is a dynamic bulletin board where researchers anonymously post a description of biospecimens needed for their research. Biobanks routinely check the board to learn about researchers' needs. If there appears to be a match, researchers are made aware of biobanks' interest or tender and are free to reply.  At a minimum, researchers stand to make qualitative and cost comparisons of tissue offers from multiple sources.

 "Despite the rapid proliferation of biobanks and tissue banks throughout the US and the world, there still is no efficient way to locate and procure human tissue samples," says Kathleen Frawley, Managing Director of SpecimenCentral.  "Most biomedical researchers are looking for a needle in a haystack. SpecimenCentral.com is the one place in the world where researchers and tissue banks can meet to exchange needs and supply."

Frawley explains that elaborate institutional and consortium specimen databases have proven frustratingly slow and unresponsive to the needs of most researchers, many of whom have limited or no access. SpecimenCentral.com not only removes barriers, through quick access to information, but expands the scope and reduces the time and effort of the search.

"Entire biomarker research programs are delayed or imperiled by an inability to obtain suitable specimens," Frawley adds. "The costs of such delays can easily reach millions of dollars. We take the 'search' out of research."

Tissue banks, sales representatives, agents, brokers and commercial partners use SpecimenCentral.com to uncover demand for their inventories and develop new connections and revenue streams to defray operational costs. "We seek to supplement - not displace - their marketing efforts," explains Frawley.

SpecimenCentral.com also boasts the world's largest directory of tissue banks and biobanks, as well as a growing directory of suppliers and consultants to the biobanking industry.

Source: Specimen Central, LLC.