Building and implementation of a common infrastructure for specimen and data storage at an academic medical center

Precision or "Personalized Medicine" and "Big Data" are growing trends in the biomedical research community and highlight an increased focus on access to larger datasets to effectively explore disease processes at the molecular level versus the previously common one-size-fits all approach. This focus necessitated a local transition from independent lab and siloed projects to a single software application utilizing a common ontology to create access to data from multiple repositories. Use of a common system has allowed for increased ease of collaboration and access to quality biospecimens that are extensively annotated with clinical, molecular, and patient associated data. The software needed to function at an enterprise level while continuing to allow investigators the autonomy and security access they desire. To identify a solution, a working group comprised of representation from independent repositories and areas of research focus across departments was established and responsible for review and implementation of an enterprise-wide biospecimen management system. Central to this process was the creation of a unified vocabulary across all repositories, including consensus around source of truth, standardized field definitions, and shared terminology.