Environmental Sustainability in Biobanking - Opportunities to reduce environmental impact of manual Ultra Low Temperature (ULT) sample storage

Abstract

A number of environmental initiatives have been started to contribute to the reduction of the environmental footprint in the healthcare sector, including initiatives in the field of laboratory practices. Biobanks with their main activities including the collection, preservation, processing, storage and distribution of samples and related data have recently attracted attention in the field of laboratory sustainability. Robust storage conditions are crucial to ensure high-quality and ‘fit for purpose’ samples in biobanking and therefore ultra-low storage temperatures, achieved in so-called ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers, are common for long-term storage in biobanking. ULT freezers are known to be one of the most energy intensive equipment in laboratories, while biobanks, holding large sample collections, may operate hundreds of ULT freezers in their facilities. The aim of this thesis was to identify opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of manual ultra-low temperature (ULT) storage of samples in biobanks, with the overall aim for biobanks to consider practices contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals and to emphasize the topic ‘Environmental Sustainability in Biobanking’. University-based sustainability programs (Green Lab Programs) were selected for evaluation to identify actions to meet environmental responsibility related to sample storage and ULT freezers promoted and practiced in university-based scientific research. The actions identified in these programs were compared to the actions related to storage of samples at ultra-low temperatures as mentioned in the latest available ISBER Best Practices. Based on the analysis of 24 international university-based sustainability programs, 31 actions in form of measures, recommendations and considerations towards more sustainable storage of samples at ultra-low temperatures were identified within the topics of sample management, freezer management, freezer maintenance and procurement considerations. The comparison to ISBER Best Practices showed that the related subject areas of two-thirds of actions found in university-based sustainability programs were mentioned in ISBER Best Practices, although partly in a different context. The activities of biobanks are crucial for the progress in biomedical research and ultimately contribute to better health care and therefore play an important and responsible role for our society. The implementation of environmental sustainability in their operations would further contribute to the goals of sustainable development. On the example of ultra-low temperature sample storage, it is shown that there is room for improvement through the implementation of a number of sustainable practices and considerations.

Datum der Bewilligung	2020
Originalsprache	Englisch
Gradverleihende Hochschule	Medizinische Universität Graz
Betreuer/-in	Berthold Huppertz (Betreuer*in)