On 19 and 20 November 2024, around 30 employees from the 18 NAKO study centres met in Hanover for biospecimen certification. Under the direction of the Central Quality Management (ZQM) of the NAKO office in Heidelberg and the Central Biosample Storage (Biorepository) at the Helmholtz Centre Munich, the participants were trained in blood collection and biosample processing and certified according to standard operating procedures (SOP).
“The quality of biosamples and their documentation depends largely on qualified personnel. We therefore carry out internal certifications for our colleagues at the study centres every two years,” reports Dr Sabrina Schmitt, Head of Central Quality Management at the German National Cohort (NAKO). “Many thanks to all those who took part as participants, speakers or examiners. Two important days to continue the high level of quality in the handling of biosamples within NAKO.”
All participants completed the course with a certificate. Five trainers and six certifiers were responsible for the content and examination.
The main topics were
- Blood collection
- Biosample processing
- Emergency management for biosample storage
- Application training on the Hamilton pipetting robot
- Application of CentraXX 4, the central sample management software of NAKO
