Repository Planning, Design, and Engineering: Part I--Infrastructure.

This is a two-part review describing the planning, engineering, and design considerations for building a new repository for biological and environmental samples. Part I addresses the physical infrastructure requirements for a repository; Part II will cover equipment and costing. Planning for construction of a new repository is a complex process requiring comprehensive preplanning and adherence to many regulatory and safety requirements.

How is your biobank handling disaster recovery efforts?

Recent years have seen a great many natural disasters-superstorms, droughts, earthquakes, among others-as well as, in the biobanking world, the constant threat of man-made disaster with everything from freezer malfunctions to theft. To help inform the increasingly important issue of protection from, and recovery after, disasters, Biopreservation and Biobanking put forth the question to our community of experts: How is your biobank handling disaster recovery efforts? Following is a selection of responses. Additionally, please see the Supplementary Information for contingency planning recommendations for biobanks and a threats assessment checklist from Intelsius ( supplementary material can be accessed from the online article at www.