Advanced Sample Processing for Research
Course Objectives
The purpose of this article is to be able to:
- Describe the principles of advanced biospecimen processing and their role in ensuring the accuracy, reproducibility, and integrity of research data.
- Explain the key differences between plasma and serum separation methods, as well as their impact on downstream analytical testing and data interpretation.
- Identify the procedures and best practices for specialized sample processing, including PBMC isolation and nucleic acid extraction, with attention to maintaining specimen viability and purity.
- Discuss the importance of standardization and documentation in maintaining consistency across multi-site studies and collaborative research environments.
- Apply advanced quality control and chain-of-custody practices to support ethical, reproducible, and high-quality research outcomes.
Course Content
Course Creator: Kristen Moylan BSPH, CCRC
Total CE Hours: 1 Credit Hour
Pace Course #:586-2516-25
Outline:
- Foundations of Advanced Biospecimen Processing and Research Integrity
- Environmental conditions and manipulation impacts
- Reproducibility
- Documentation and traceability
- Case study application
- Differentiating Plasma and Serum in Advanced Sample Processing
- Plasma vs Serum
- Pre-analytical handling
- Multi-site consistency
- Variables
- Phlebotomist’s role
- Standardization and Reproducibility in Multi-Site Research Studies
- Unified protocols
- QC
- Data documentation
- Communication
- Documentation, Quality Control, and Chain-of-Custody in Advanced Sample Processing
- Documentation at point of collection
- QC measures
- Chain of custody
- Applying Quality Assurance and Best Practices for Reproducible Research
- Adherence to standardized procedures
- Quality checks
- instrument calibration
- reagent verification
- proficiency testing
- Best practices
References:
- Carter, E. (2023, August 22). Risks of Delayed Centrifugation in Blood Sample Processing: Impact on Test Results and Patient Safety. Needle.Tube - Diagnostic Lab Supplies, Great Prices, Fast Delivery, Blood Collection Needles, Blood Collection Tubes, Infusion Needles. https://www.needle.tube/resources-8/risks-of-delayed-centrifugation-in-blood-sample-processing-impact-on-test-results-and-patient-safety
- Ezzelle, J., Rodriguez-Chavez, I. R., Darden, J. M., Stirewalt, M., Kunwar, N., Hitchcock, R., Walter, T., & D’Souza, M. P. (2008). Guidelines on good clinical laboratory practice: Bridging operations between research and clinical research laboratories. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, 46(1), 18–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpba.2007.10.010
- Foster, B. (2024, November 5). A Guide to DNA and RNA Quantification and Quality. Genomics Research from Technology Networks; Technology Networks. https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomics/articles/a-guide-to-dna-and-rna-quantification-and-quality-392900
- Hedayati, M., Razavi, S. A., Boroomand, S., & Kheradmand Kia, S. (2020). The impact of pre‐analytical variations on biochemical analytes stability: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis, 34(12). https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.23551
- Jaquet, V., Wallerich, S., Voegeli, S., Demeter Túrós, Eduardo Calero Viloria, & Attila Becskei. (2022). Determinants of the temperature adaptation of mRNA degradation. Nucleic Acid Research, 50(2), 1092–1110. https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkab1261
- Lodge, A. (2020, November 2). Ask A Scientist: What’s the Difference Between Serum and Plasma? Charles River. https://www.criver.com/eureka/ask-scientist-whats-difference-between-serum-and-plasma
- Mathew, J., Varacallo, M., & Sankar, P. (2023, April 24). Physiology, blood plasma. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK531504/
- PBMC Analysis: Isolation, Counting & Characterization | Revvity. (2025). Revvity.com. https://www.revvity.com/ask/peripheral-blood-mononuclear-cells-pbmcs
