NCI Biospecimen Evidence-Based Practices (BEBP)

The NCI BEBP series is an expanding collection of procedural guidelines developed using, and annotated with, evidence from primary research publications in the field of human Biospecimen Science. Each document contains:

step-by-step procedural guidelines,
supportive annotated summaries of literature evidence,
optimal procedures, as well as
acceptable alternatives when the evidence allows should key reagents be unavailable.

The detailed yet adaptable format is intended to facilitate the modification of existing standard operating procedures (SOP) by individual projects and/or institutions in order to support the development and execution of evidence-based SOPs for human biospecimen collection, processing and storage. Development of BEBPs is ongoing and new content will be added as it becomes available.

NEW! NCI BEBP: Cell-free miRNA: Blood Collection and Processing
This BEBP provides evidence-based and expert-vetted guidance on the collection and processing of cell-free microRNA (cfmiRNA) from human plasma and serum. The BEBP includes important considerations on workflow design, including plasma/serum separation, miRNA extraction, specimen and sample storage, and miRNA analysis. Biospecimens processed under these procedural guidelines are suitable for research and clinical analysis of miRNA. This BEBP is intended to support the development and execution of evidence-based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by individual biobanks, organizations, and institutions. The accompanying publication announcing the release of the cfmiRNA BEBP can be viewed here.
NCI BEBP: Cell-free DNA: Biospecimen Collection and Processing
This BEBP provides evidence-based and expert-vetted guidance on the collection and processing of blood for cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis as well as cfDNA extraction and storage. Biospecimens processed under these procedural guidelines are suitable for research and clinical analysis of cfDNA of either fetal or tumor origin. This BEBP is intended to support the development and execution of evidence-based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by individual biobanks, organizations, and institutions. The accompanying publication announcing the release of the cfDNA BEBP can be viewed here.
NCI BEBP: Nucleic Acid Extraction from Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue
This BEBP provides evidence-based and expert-vetted guidance on DNA and RNA extraction from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) human tissues that do not require decalcification. Biospecimens processed under these procedural guidelines are suitable for analysis by PCR, methylation analysis, Sanger sequencing, next-generation sequencing, and microarray hybridization. This BEBP is intended to support the development and execution of evidence-based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by individual biobanks, organizations, and institutions. The accompanying publication announcing the release of the cfDNA BEBP can be viewed here.
NCI BEBP: Snap-Freezing of Post-Surgical Tissue Biospecimens
This BEBP provides evidence-based guidance on snap-freezing human tissue biospecimens acquired via surgical excision. Biospecimens preserved following the steps outlined in this document are suitable for downstream DNA, RNA, protein, and morphological analysis. This BEBP is intended to serve as a framework for the development and execution of evidence-based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by individual biobanks, organizations, and institutions. The accompanying publication announcing the release of the cfDNA BEBP can be viewed here.