The landscape of medical research is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Traditionally, researchers have relied on point-in-time data collection—snapshots of patient health captured during specific study visits or through one-time reviews of medical records. Today, the integration of electronic medical records (EMRs) and longitudinal health data into research workflows is opening new frontiers for discovery, enabling more comprehensive, historically informed, and representative studies.

There's a persistent myth in healthcare that patients are reluctant to participate in medical research. The reality? Most people are actually eager to contribute—they simply don't know how. This disconnect represents one of the most significant missed opportunities in advancing medical science today.

In today's complex research landscape, studies rarely rely on a single data source. The most valuable insights often emerge from multi-modal research that combines biological specimens, electronic health record data, patient-reported outcomes, and direct participant feedback. Yet managing these diverse research streams has traditionally been a fragmented, resource-intensive process that introduces unnecessary complexity, delays, and costs.

When 23andMe recently filed for bankruptcy and California's Attorney General recommended customers delete their data, it highlighted a fundamental problem: health information is often treated as a company asset rather than personal property.

In an era of increasing digitization and remote capabilities in medical research, certain foundational elements remain irreplaceable. As Joined Bio announces its acquisition of BioSample Connect, we wanted to share our perspective on why clinical specimen collection continues to be a cornerstone of meaningful medical research, and how this strategic acquisition enhances our ability to serve the research community.

Every day, groundbreaking medical research stalls while scientists spend months searching for the right patients. Despite advances in medical technology, patient recruitment remains stubbornly anchored in the past—fragmented, inefficient, and frustratingly slow. But a revolution is underway, combining two powerful forces: artificial intelligence and real-time electronic medical records.