Biospecimen Research Methods from edX

The success of your research depends on the quality of the biospecimens you use. Get ahead of the competition, increase your chances of being published in high impact journals, and open doors to opportunities for working in leading biomedical research laboratories or biobanks. This biology and life sciences course will enable you to collect, recognize and utilize a quality human biospecimen.

Over 6 weeks, professionals, with extensive experience in biobanking from the University of British Columbia and the BC Cancer, will teach you the international best practices for biobanking and research involving human biospecimens; based on National Cancer Institute (NCI) and International Society of Biological Environmental Repositories standards (ISBER).

What you'll learn

Develop the knowledge to better collect and process human biospecimens to enhance research credibility
How to plan a successful research study using biospecimens
How to properly store and manage biospecimen data
Understand the ethical and privacy issues related to biobanking
Gain applicable hands-on techniques related to informed consent, data management, biospecimen collection and storage

What's inside

Learning objectives

Develop the knowledge to better collect and process human biospecimens to enhance research credibility
How to plan a successful research study using biospecimens
How to properly store and manage biospecimen data

Understand the ethical and privacy issues related to biobanking
Gain applicable hands-on techniques related to informed consent, data management, biospecimen collection and storage

Develop the knowledge to better collect and process human biospecimens to enhance research credibility
How to plan a successful research study using biospecimens
How to properly store and manage biospecimen data
Understand the ethical and privacy issues related to biobanking
Gain applicable hands-on techniques related to informed consent, data management, biospecimen collection and storage

Syllabus

Week 1: Overview of Biospecimen Research

This week module covers the fundamentals around biospecimen collection, including defining biospecimens, biobanks, biobanking and the key issues to consider when planning your research study using biospecimens.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Explores the fundamentals of biospecimen collection, processing, storage, distribution, data management, ethical and privacy issues

Offers hands-on techniques related to informed consent, data management, biospecimen collection and storage

Covers the latest international best practices for biobanking and research involving human biospecimens based on NCI and ISBER standards

Taught by professionals with extensive experience in biobanking from the University of British Columbia and the BC Cancer

Develops knowledge in ethical and privacy issues related to biobanking

Requires students to come in with extensive background knowledge

Reviews summary

Comprehensive guide to biospecimen research methods

According to learners, this course offers an incredibly thorough and practical understanding of biospecimen collection and biobanking. Many found the content highly relevant to current research practices, appreciating its strong emphasis on international standards like NCI and ISBER. Students frequently highlight the insightful modules on ethical considerations and data management. While the instructors are praised as experts, a few learners noted that some lectures could be more interactive or that the course might feel somewhat basic for advanced professionals seeking deeper technical dives. The supplementary course handbook for verified learners is consistently mentioned as a highly valuable resource.

Ideal for beginners; may be too basic for advanced practitioners.

"I found this course somewhat basic for my advanced background. ...it felt like a review of known concepts."

"It might be good for beginners or those new to the field..."

"A very solid introduction to biospecimen research methods."

"Excellent foundational course!"

Verified learners benefit from a comprehensive course handbook.

"The supplementary handbook was useful for review."

"The supplementary handbook for verified learners was a huge plus, very comprehensive."

"I found the supplemental course handbook extremely helpful for reinforcing the concepts and for future reference."

Instructors are knowledgeable and clarify complex topics.

"The instructors were clearly experts, and their real-world examples made complex topics accessible."

"The instructors present complex material clearly."

"The instructors were knowledgeable."

Offers invaluable insights into ethical and data privacy issues.

"The ethical considerations module was particularly insightful and well-explained."

"Good course with detailed information, especially on the ethical and legal aspects of biobanking."

"The practical insights on informed consent and data privacy are invaluable."

Integrates critical international best practices and guidelines.

"The course strongly emphasizes international standards (NCI, ISBER), which is crucial."

"The focus on NCI and ISBER standards gives it strong credibility."

"The emphasis on international best practices is a huge advantage."

Provides crucial and practical knowledge for professionals.

"This course provided an incredibly thorough and practical understanding of biospecimen collection and biobanking best practices."

"Excellent course! As a lab manager, I found the modules on facility design and storage options extremely relevant to my work."

"The content is highly relevant to current research practices... I gained a lot of actionable knowledge that I could immediately apply."

Some learners desired more interactive course elements.

"I felt some of the lectures were a bit dry and relied heavily on reading slides."

"I wished for more interactive elements or case studies to keep me engaged."

"Useful, but could be more engaging. ...I wish there were more interactive assignments beyond just quizzes."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Biospecimen Research Methods with these activities:

Review Basic Statistics

Show steps

Strengthen your statistical foundation by reviewing basic concepts and techniques.

Browse courses on Statistical Analysis

Show steps

Revise key statistical concepts such as mean, median, and standard deviation.
Practice solving simple statistical problems.

Peer Study Group

Show steps

Engage with peers to discuss concepts, share insights, and clarify your understanding.

Show steps

Connect with classmates to form a study group.
Organize regular meetings to discuss course material.
Collaborate on projects and assignments.
Provide feedback and support to one another.

Study NCI standards on biobanking

Show steps

This will strengthen the learning of fundamental aspects of biobanking and research.

Show steps

Access the National Cancer Institute's website for biobanking guidelines.
Read the NCI's "Best Practices for Biospecimen Resources"
Take notes and highlight important information.

Three other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all six activities

Practice applying the informed consent process

Show steps

Practicing the informed consent process will help you become more comfortable with the process and ensure that you are obtaining consent in a way that is both ethical and legally compliant.

Show steps

Create a mock informed consent form
Role-play the informed consent process with a colleague or friend

Data Management Practice

Show steps

Improve your data management skills by retrieving, organizing, and analyzing data.

Show steps

Review data management protocols and standards.
Practice data entry and data cleaning tasks.
Perform data analysis using statistical software.

Create a presentation on the ethical and privacy issues related to biobanking

Show steps

Creating a presentation will allow you to synthesize your understanding of the ethical and privacy issues related to biobanking and communicate it effectively to others.

Show steps

Research the ethical and privacy issues related to biobanking
Develop a presentation outline
Create slides for your presentation
Practice your presentation

Career center

Learners who complete Biospecimen Research Methods will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Laboratory Director

A Laboratory Director is a perfect fit for someone who has completed Biospecimen Research Methods. This role typically requires an advanced degree as well as previous management experience. This course may help build the foundation of knowledge needed for this career. It will specifically be helpful for the management of the storage as well as the collection of biospecimens.

See salaries and explore the career path for Laboratory Director

Clinical Research Associate

The work of a Clinical Research Associate is closely related to that of a laboratory director. This role will require a bachelor's degree but may benefit from an advanced degree such as a master's. This course may help build a foundation to aid in a successful career in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate

Quality Assurance Manager

A Biospecimen Research Methods course may be helpful to a Quality Assurance Manager, especially for an entry-level position. The skills acquired may be used to ensure quality management for processes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Manager

Regulatory Affairs Manager

Similar to a Quality Assurance Manager, a Regulatory Affairs Manager may benefit from taking this course. It can be crucial for training in international regulations. Based on the information provided, it is suggested that one takes this course before pursuing a career as a Regulatory Affairs Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Regulatory Affairs Manager

Data Analyst

Understanding how to work with data is important for a Data Analyst. This course may help you understand the storage and management of biospecimen data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Research Scientist

A Research Scientist may benefit from this course. With a bachelor's degree and potentially an advanced degree, a Research Scientist can use this course to gain the knowledge needed to start a successful career in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Biostatistician

Biostatistics is a specialized field that requires a master's degree or higher. Taking this course, however, may help in understanding how to collect, process, and analyze biospecimen data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Medical Writer

This course may be helpful for a Medical Writer with a bachelor's degree. The knowledge acquired may be utilized for grant writing and the dissemination of research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer

Science Writer

A Science Writer may benefit from taking this course. It may aid in understanding the scientific process and communicating this to a wider audience.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Clinical Data Manager

This course may be helpful for a Clinical Data Manager. Understanding biospecimen collection and storage can aid in managing the research process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Data Manager

Medical Science Liaison

A Medical Science Liaison may use the knowledge acquired from this course to aid in establishing relationships with healthcare professionals.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Science Liaison

Healthcare Consultant

Completing this course can provide valuable insight into the research process and can be helpful for a Healthcare Consultant.

See salaries and explore the career path for Healthcare Consultant

Biomaterials Scientist

This course may help a Biomaterials Scientist have a better understanding of the collection and preparation of biospecimens.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biomaterials Scientist

Laboratory Technician

Understanding biospecimen storage, and processing are essential for a Laboratory Technician. Taking this course may be helpful for a successful career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Laboratory Technician

Clinical Laboratory Scientist

A Clinical Laboratory Scientist may benefit from taking this course. It can be helpful for understanding the collection and processing of biospecimens.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Reading list

We've selected one books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Biospecimen Research Methods.

Returning Individual Research Results to...

Save

This guide provides guidance on the collection, storage, and management of biospecimens for research purposes. It valuable resource for researchers who are new to the field of biobanking.

Returning Individual Research Results to...

Kindle Edition

$$$

Biospecimen Research Methods

What you'll learn

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Comprehensive guide to biospecimen research methods

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses