Biospecimen Core
Access | Review Committee | Location | Equipment | Services | Fees | Forms | SOPs | Data System | Contact
Purpose & Overview
The Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium (LCRC) Tissue Procurement and Biospecimen Core Facility (TPBCF) is a part of the infrastructure to support the conduct of basic and clinical research for members of the LCRC. The goal of the repository is to support LCRC programmatic research in order to further improve our understanding of those molecular factors that contribute to cancer and that may lead to prevention, early detection, and cure.
The mission of the Biospecimen Core is to collect high quality samples of normal and diseased human material (e.g., whole blood,, cellular blood components, plasma, urine, body fluids, DNA, and tumor tissue and cells) with appropriate clinical data and to make this material available to qualified researchers at Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium while ensuring the informed consent, safety, donor anonymity, and all regulatory safeguards are in place.
The Associate Directors for Basic Science oversees this facility, with day-to-day staff supervision provided by the TPBCF co-Directors, Dr. Moroz and Dr. Zea.
Access to biospecimens and corresponding data will be restricted to LCRC investigators who have successfully petitioned the IRB of their home institution and the LCRC Tissue Utilization Review Committee (TURC) appointed by the LCRC co-Directors upon recommendation by the LCRC Scientific Executive Committee (SEC).
Currently Available Specimens:
LCRC Tissue Utilization Review Committee
LCRC Tissue Utilization Review Committee consists of leading scientists and physicians from Tulane University and LSU Health Sciences Centers. The TURC will govern the release of tissue based on availability and priority. Priority will be given to LCRC investigators who have received peer-reviewed grant support, start-up funds from LCRC, and Bridge, Seed or Competitive Advantage Funds from LCRC. The TURC is appointed by the LCRC co-Directors upon recommendation by the LCRC Scientific Executive Committee Investigators will have access to the biospecimen once the IRB (at the investigator's home institute) and the TURC approval of the proposed studies has been made. Once approved, a Research Agreement will be signed by the investigator initiating the request. This agreement will be binding, requiring the investigator to adhere to appropriate ethical conduct in regards to the biospecimens and/or corresponding clinical information. Priority for specimen distribution will be determined by the TURC. Adjudication of dispute in priority is the responsibility of the SEC.
The Biospecimen Core is located on the 6th floor of the Tulane School of Medicine Building in the Pathology Department where tissue samples are stored and processed and on the 4th floor of the Clinical Sciences Research Building, Stanley S. Scott Cancer Center at LSUHSC where blood samples are stored and processed. By segmenting sample storage in this manner, the proximity to histology laboratory and to the pathologist verifying tissue samples and the blood element processing lab assure the minimal exposure to external environment and guarantee the most efficient verification and quality control process. The repository, in its entirety will eventually be housed in a consolidated LCRC facility.
Thermo Cryoplus Series Liquid Nitrogen Storage System
The CryoPlus Liquid Nitrogen Storage system has a storage capacity of 13,000 vials (2.0 ml) and features a vacuum insulated storage tank with stainless steel interior. The counterbalanced lid with 100% clearance incorporates high density, foamed-in-place urethane insulation with dedicated vent (patent pending). Two independent flexible gaskets reduce the migration of moisture into the chamber to reduce icing. For maximum product security, both series provide front-mounted key lock, rear mounted, recessed power switch and re mote alarm contacts. Both series are UL listed, CSA Certified, bear the CE mark and meet the requirements IEC 1010
Cryostat
The cryostat is used for sectioning frozen tissues at sub-zero temperatures for further analysis.
Tissue Procurement
This includes general procurement and specific investigator-directed procurement of fresh frozen, formalin-fixed paraffin embedded malignant and non-malignant tissue (including tumor tissue and adjacent or distant non-tumor tissue from the same surgery).
Blood Procurement
This includes general procurement of blood and plasma samples from patients bearing tumors and from normal controls.
Quality Assurance/Histopathologic Review
Histopathologic verification of collected tissue samples will be performed in the Histopathology Laboratory of the Department of Pathology at Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Moroz will verify each collected sample for their representation of a pathologic process. The use of clinical histology lab assures the highest standard in tissue processing and compliance with federal and state regulations (CAP, CLIA). Representative histologic and gross images of collected samples (tumoral and non-tumoral) will be digitized. A secure web link to the LCRC Biospecimen Database will allow researchers to view the availability and quality of research samples for use.
Biospecimen storage
Samples can be stored in the liquid nitrogen storage system for a fee for investigators choosing to do so. Biospecimens collected for specific studies will be kept in distinctly identified locations so as to keep them separate from the general TB.
LCRC BCL |
NON-MEMBER |
PROGRAM |
CONTRIBUTING |
ASSOCIATE |
| TISSUE PROCUREMENT SERVICES | (NO SUBSIDY) |
MEMBER |
MEMBER |
MEMBER |
| Per Sample Includes: | $30.00 |
$15 |
$21 |
$27 |
| * Coordination between surgeons & LCRC BCL | ||||
| * Consenting the patient | ||||
| * Tech time / Admin. time | ||||
| * Labeling | ||||
| * Preparation for tissue collection | ||||
| * Tissue collection | ||||
| * Specimen processing: | ||||
| * with O.C.T. | ||||
| * without O.C.T. | ||||
| * formalin fixation | ||||
| * Storage of specimens in LN2 | ||||
| * caBIG data entry / data management | ||||
| * Pathologist review | ||||
| BIOLOGICAL FLUID PROCUREMENT | ||||
| SERVICES Per Sample. Includes: | ||||
| * Coordination between surgeons & LCRC | ||||
| * Consenting the patient | ||||
| * Tech time / Admin. time | ||||
| * Labeling | ||||
| * Preparation for biological collection | ||||
| * Biological fluid collection | ||||
| * Specimen processing: | ||||
| * Frozen PBMC, 1 X 107 from blood | $80.00 |
$40 |
$56 |
$72 |
| * Serum | $20.00 |
$10 |
$14 |
$18 |
| * Plasma | $20.00 |
$10 |
$14 |
$18 |
| * Urine | $15.00 |
$7.50 |
$10.50 |
$13.50 |
| * Storage of specimens in LN2 | ||||
| * caBIG data entry / data management | ||||
| * Cancer Immunologist review | ||||
| SUBSIDY MATRIX | ||||
| 50% discount for LCRC Program Members
|
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| 30% discount for LCRC Contributing Members
|
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| 10% discount for LCRC Associate Members
|
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| 0% discount for non-members
|
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| HISTOLOGY SERVICES & PRICES as per Tulane Histology Core | ||||
| NO SUBSIDY FOR HISTOLOGY SERVICES: Not an LCRC Core | ||||
| Process & Embed Specimen | 7.00/block |
|||
| H & E Stain -- Paraffin, 5-μm | 2.60/slide |
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| H & E Stain -- Frozen, 5-μm | 2.60/slide |
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| Unstained Slide -- Paraffin, 5-μm | 0.90/slide |
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| Unstained Slide -- Frozen Tissue, 5-μm | 4.00/slide |
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| Thick Sections | 4.00/block |
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| BCL staff will coordinate investigator samples through Histology. However, Histology will charge investigator grants directly for services. Histology is not an LCRC core, therefore, a subisidy does not apply. | ||||
- Consent to Participate in Research
- Tissue Utilization Service Request Form
- Tissue Authorization Release Form (Complete this form if you are using a participating surgeon 1/3 banked tissues)
Forms might be in Adobe PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader to open these files. If you do not have Adobe Reader click on the Get Adobe Reader link below to install it in your computer.
Click here to access all biospecimen core SOPs. This document is password protected. Please contact the Biospecimen Core for an access password for this file.
Go to our Tissue Banking online system to request specimens from the core.
Click here or go to Tissue Banking System.
For more information on the Core, Contact:
Co-Director: Arnold H. Zea, Ph.D.
email: azea@lsuhsc.edu
Phone: 504.599.0906
Co-Director: Krzysztof Moroz, M.D.
email: kmoroz@tulane.edu
Phone: 504.988.6199
Technical Director: Jennifer Abadie
email: jabadie@lcrc.info
Phone: 504-988-1065 or 504-810-9948
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