Modern cancer research is unthinkable without biological samples. Automated high-throughput analysis techniques enable scientists to quickly analyze thousands of blood or urine samples in search of specific metabolic products, messenger substances, hormones, DNA, or RNA molecules. Equally important are samples of living cells. Scientists speak of liquid or living biopsies.
But automated analysis is of little use if the degree of automation in storing and handling the samples cannot keep up. Funded by the Dieter Morszeck Foundation, the DKFZ, therefore, set up the so-called “biorepository” – a logistics center for the long-term storage of valuable biomaterials.
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