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Nemours Biobank

Core Director: 
Diana Corao-Uribe, MD

About the Nemours Biobank

The Nemours Biobank is a resource for obtaining high quality pediatric tissue samples and associated information of any type.  This resource is available to every Nemours researcher.  We are experienced in working within a specific researcher's requirements to establish collections of tissue and information. 

Objectives

The purpose of the Nemours Biobank is the collection and storage of high quality pediatric tissue samples, associated clinical and pathologic data, as well as blood samples or buccal swabs from subjects’ relatives.

The primary objective of this study is to support the Nemours research community through the creation of a biorepository consisting of an extensive collection of annotated specimens from subjects as well as their relatives.  Specimens and information to be collected from subjects include but are not limited to:

  • Tissue specimens left over from a surgical procedure not needed in pathology
  • Tissue specimens collected specifically for the Biobank (GI biopsies, skin biopsies)
  • Discarded tissue specimens from surgical procedures (not sent to pathology)
  • Blood samples from subjects and relatives
  • Bone marrow
  • Urine
  • Saliva
  • Buccal swabs from subjects and relatives
  • Autopsy specimens from already scheduled autopsies
  • Archival paraffin embedded tissue blocks from the Department of Pathology
  • Previously collected cohorts of samples and limited data from other laboratories
  • Past and future pathologic, clinical and demographic data from the EMR

The secondary objectives of the Nemours Biobank are centered on the establishment of standard operating procedures for the processing, standardization, and quality assurance of the entire process.  These techniques will change over time as the Nemours Biobank acquires new capabilities, technology and insight, but some of the areas of focus will include:

  • DNA, RNA extraction & storage
  • Development of standardized informed consent proces

Laboratory

Located in basement of AIDHC, GD-74
Instruments include
     –Storage for 30,000+ vials
     -80 C freezer
     -Liquid nitrogen storage tank
     –Controlled-rate freezer
     –Tissue culture hood

Capabilities

-Cryopreservation of tissue, blood, bone marrow, urine, etc.
-DNA, RNA isolation
-Collaborations with Histology core lab, Biomolecular core lab

How to Set up a Collection

1 Meet with Nemours Biobank staff, who will assist in:
2 Developing procedures to consent patients, collect & process samples, collect associated data
3 Specify types of samples & data required, & how samples are to be processed
4 Biobank (with input of researcher) will design database in BSI specifically for each project
5 Obtain IRB-approved consent forms from Biobank, & ensure those who will be consenting patients have completed all required  training
6 Begin collecting samples & data
 
 

IRB Considerations

-IRB approval is not needed to establish a collection
-Approval only necessary for research utilizing Biobank samples & information
–Since Biobank has IRB approval for the collection & de-identification of samples, any samples received from the Biobank are not “human subjects”
–Expedites the IRB application/exemption process for researchers’ projects

 

Coming in mid-2013

Biological Specimen Inventory (BSI) is a data and inventory management system which will be designed specifically for the Nemours Biobank's specifications.  With this system, each and every sample vial will be tracked from collection, to processing, to storage in our freezers, and finally during shipment or distribution to a researcher.  Clinical, pathologic, and demographic information from the electronic medical record (EMR) will be linked to every sample.  Researchers will be able to search the database based on whatever criteria are relevant to their study, and will be able to make requests for samples online.  De-identified information will then be released to researchers.  This system will revolutionize the way we collect, process, store, and distribute samples.  For more information go to: www.bsisystems.com.  Additional information will be available as requested by researchers, as we can custom-design this database.  It is important to remember that all information that will be distributed by the Biobank will be de-identified.

 

Contact Us

Departmental Unit: 
Center for Childhood Cancer Research
Staff: 
Diana Corao-Uribe, MD