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Approximately $28 billion per year is spent on preclinical research that is not reproducible AND the cumulative prevalence of irreproducible preclinical research exceeds 50 percent. The study, The Economics of Reproducibility in Preclinical Research, by Drs. Leonard P. Freedman, Iain M. Cockburn and Timothy S. Simcoe, outlines a framework for solutions and a plan for long-term improvements in life science research reproducibility rates.

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A new survey of almost 450 biomedical researchers from every major stakeholder group (e.g., academia, industry) conducted by the Global Biological Standards Institute (GBSI) shows little has changed in cell line authentication and culture practices in the past decade—practices that contribute to irreproducible research, and delays and increased costs of drug discovery. The results are detailed in The culture of cell culture practices and authentication—Results from a 2015 Survey, by Leonard P. Freedman, Ph.D., lead author, published today in the open access journal BioTechniques.

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On Tuesday, February 9, at 12:00 noon EST, Global Biological Standards Institute (GBSI) will host its 2016 BioPolicy Summit at the Newseum in Washington, DC. The 2016 Summit—Research Reproducibility: Innovative Solutions to Drive Quality welcomes premiere life science thought leaders as speakers, panelists and guests who will review the complex causes of irreproducibility and focus on tangible solutions to drive greater research quality and accelerate the discovery of life-saving therapies.

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A survey published today on research antibody usage and validation practices indicates many junior scientists are not receiving the training they need in the selection, handling, applications and reporting of research antibodies. "The need for improved education and training in research antibody usage and validation practices" by Leonard P. Freedman, PhD, published in BioTechniques, describes a perception among all researchers that antibody validation delays, rather than facilitates research progress.

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Global Biological Standards Institute (GBSI) gathers 100+ biomedical research experts from around the world next week at the scientifically historic Asilomar Conference Grounds in California for a workshop to discuss, define and vote on the first detailed standardized guidelines for validating research antibodies. Antibody Validation: Standards, Policies, and Practices will build upon the conceptual framework published September 5, in Nature Methods, in order to establish practical, applicable and implementable antibody validation guidelines. A webcast press briefing will present broad consensus-based outcomes September 28. Follow along on Twitter with #AbValidate.