Overview of Services
The West Virginia University Biospecimen Translational Research Analysis Core (BioTRAC) acquires and processes accurately timed, high quality fresh samples (e.g., blood, urine, bone marrow, etc.) from patients for translational research. The sample processing complexity is determined by needs of the investigators and ranges from simple logging and storage to generation of specific subsamples such as mRNA isolation or isolation of live immune cell populations.
Functions of the WVU BioTRAC include: assistance with protocol design of sample times; establishment of handling procedures; determination of sample stability; sample & data acquisition; serving as an interface between the clinicians and labs; protocols for human tissue analysis; and specimen stabilization/processing, storage/shipping. Samples are combined with robost, de-identified clinical data including information of patient demographics, past medical history, pathology and treatment characteristics, and long term outcomes, allowing for translational and correlative analysis. Depending on the complexity of the study, the Core may also facilitate informed patient consent.
The Core provides researchers with access to personnel who can link their samples to the Center's OnCore clinical trials management system. In addition, Core personnel have access to WVU Hospital’s electronic medical record system (Epic) for acquisition of protocol requested patient information, providing a translational link to samples.
Equipment
- Centrifuges
- Automated Cell Sorter
- Freezers (-86 °C and -20 °C)
- Microtome
- Cryostat
Contacts
Director
Brian Boone, MD, FACS | brian.boone@hsc.wvu.edu | (304) 293-7095
BioTRAC Manager
Brandy Greenawalt |brandy.greenawalt@hsc.wvu.edu | (304) 293-7380
Acknowledgments
Please remember to acknowledge support for the BioTRAC in all your publications:
Specimens were provided by the West Virginia University Biospecimen Translational Research Analysis Core (BIOTRAC) which has been supported by the WVU Cancer Institute and NIH grants P20GM103434 and U54GM104942.
