Research Output
MS33 “Cost Model for access to samples and data”
The cost model has been prepared as an Excel spreadsheet and it is divided into 5 different blocks, each of which describes a given stage of the biological material and data collection and preparation for the release within scientific projects. Biobanks that will potentially release samples for future research projects should consider all the activities that are needed to perform the collection of human biological material and release this material for the research projects, including the administrative effort related to project supervision, applications for appropriate bioethical committee permits as well as preparation of material and data transfer agreements. Considering the differences in the hourly rates and the prices of consumables in various European countries, this type of model will allow biobanks to accurately visualize components of the sample fee.
Important to note is that biobanks do not have to use all blocks for the calculation. For example, if only steps for block 1-3 and 5 have been taken, these items will be part of the cost calculation model. Finally, the correct calculation of the costs incurred by the biobank is the justification that human biological material is not sold, but only made available for reimbursement of costs.
References:
Clément, B., Yuille, M., Zaltoukal, K., Wichmann, H. E., Anton, G., Parodi, B., Kozera, L., Bréchot, C., Hofman, P., & Dagher, G. (2014). Public biobanks: Calculation and recovery of costs. Science Translational Medicine, 6(261). https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.3010444
The cost model has been prepared as an Excel spreadsheet and it is divided into 4 different blocks, each of which describes a category of related services: 1) general, 2) anonymization, 3) data storage, curation and annotation, 4) analysis. For each service, the level of expertise of the staff member performing the service, or the description of the unit can be specified, whichever is applicable. Then the amount of time or number of units is specified, and the rate per hour or unit, in order to calculate the total costs. Finally, the node has the option to specify an overall overhead factor, which might be applicable, e.g., for commercial customers.
Important to note is that nodes do not have to use all blocks for the calculation. Moreover, since the portfolio of services offered by the medical imaging nodes of Euro-BioImaging is under active development, it is expected that service descriptions will be fine-tuned or new services will be added, leading to updates of the cost recovery model.