Biomarker and Biorepository Core

The Biomarker and Biorepository Core (BBC) provides an integrated “one stop shopping” experience for a wide range of studies. It provides technical and logistical support for sample processing, strict chain of custody of biospecimens, bar code labeling, and state-of-the-art analytical services. The Biomarker Lab offers expertise, technologies, and instrumentation for quantitative assessment of biomarkers, drugs, and metabolomics, as well as immunoassays to measure hormones, inflammatory markers, growth factors, and other analytes. The Biorepository includes >600,000 human specimens from diverse individuals across the lifespan and an innovative sample tracking system. The Biomarker and Biorepository Core is a centralized ICTR translational technologies resource in collaboration with the Cancer Center and Einstein-Montefiore. Patient samples that are handled on both campuses are routed through the Biomarker Analytic Research Core (BARC). The analytic functions include stable isotope dilution assays, biomarker and substrate analyses, and sample/DNA processing. In addition, we provide high-throughput analyses using immunoassays and other methods for a wide range of analytes.

Biomarker Analytics Research

Services:

Protocol planning; Sample collection, processing and coding
Special chemistry analyses on Beckman Coulter Chemistry Analyzer
High throughput automation
Quantitative measurement of metabolites/hormones by ELISA, GC/MS and LC/MS

Biorepository

Patient-derived specimens are essential to research in genomics, proteomics, and biomarkers. This core provides banking for biological fluid and tissue specimens as well as human DNA and RNA. The Biorepository provides secure archival sample storage as well as clinically annotated specimen biobanks for defined research projects. Radiofrequency identification (RFID)-tagging technology has been implemented to improve sample tracking and ensure sample integrity. Hardened RFID tags affix to sample tubes and boxes, enabling immediate identification of freezer and storage box location for a given sample as well as tube position within the box. This affords vast improvements in efficiency of sample retrieval. In addition, the system provides box-level continuous temperature monitoring and logs each instance when a box is accessed, providing a documented quality assurance history of storage conditions. Samples can be banked by an individual PI or by a consortium of investigators. The facility works under the best practices set out by NCI and ISBER for collection, storage, and retrieval of human biological materials for research. Biorepository staff work closely with PIs, study coordinators, surgeons, and surgical pathology across disciplines.

Services:

Sample acquisition and preservation SOPs
Confirmation of consent
Verification of clinical diagnostic procedures completed
Barcode labeling and transfer to secure storage
Chain of custody sample tracking/distribution to investigators
Centralized resource for coordinated, quality-controlled acquisition, processing, storage and distribution of annotated human specimens linked to EMR
Secure storage, bar code labeling and chain of custody
Tissue preparation/extraction for high yield/quality DNA/RNA/biomarkers

Costs per sample:

Buffy Coat	$1.04
Industry Sample Processing	$80.00
Ordering MMC samples	$1.00
Plasma	$0.75
PP Plasma	$1.04
Red blood cell pellet	$0.75
Saliva	$0.75
Serum	$0.75
Stool	$0.75
Study Labels	$1.15
Swab	$0.46
Unspun Urine	$0.75
Urine pellet	$1.04
Urine Supernatant	$0.75
Whole blood	$0.46
CSF	$1.00
Storage processing	$1.60

	Internal
Sample Storage/Tracking (less than 2,000 samples) - Standard	$0.35
Sample Storage/Tracking (less than 2,000 samples) - Medium	$0.50
Sample Storage/Tracking (less than 2,000 samples) - Large	$0.65
Sample Storage/Tracking (more than 2,000 but less than 10,000 samples) - Standard	$0.21
Sample Storage/Tracking (more than 2,000 but less than 10,000 samples) - Medium	$0.29
Sample Storage/Tracking (more than 2,000 but less than 10,000 samples) - Large	$0.37
Sample Storage/Tracking (more than 10,000 samples) - Standard	$0.13
Sample Storage/Tracking (more than 10,000 samples) - Medium	$0.17
Sample Storage/Tracking (more than 10,000 samples) - Large	$0.21

Sample Pull/Tracking (less than 2,000 samples)	$1.80
Sample Pull/Tracking (more than 2,000 but less than 10,000 samples)	$1.30
Sample Pull/Tracking (more than 10,000 samples)	$0.80

Sample processing storage fee (monthly)	$1.65
Samples retrieved from external facility	$1.00
Re/Label	$1.00