Biorepository & Tissue Analysis Shared Resource

Consultation

For projects that involve BTA services, such as clinical sample collection, histologic service, and multispectral imaging, we offer consultation prior to initiation of the project.

To request this service, log in to Infinity and select BTA Consult Request.

Clinical Sample Request

When researchers request clinical samples linked with clinico-demographic data, the BTA Shared Resource will serve as an honest broker and provide de-identified clinical data to researchers upon receipt of appropriate Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. The BTA Shared Resource maintains IRB approval for a blanket consent that permits the procurement of biospecimens for general banking to be used for future research. The blanket consent also allows patients to continue donating specimens that are stored for an unlimited amount of time unless the patient withdraws the consent.

Available Clinical Tissue and Blood Samples

To request this service, log in to Infinity and select Biorepository Sample Request.

Prospective Tumor Sample Collection

For projects requiring prospectively collected fresh tumor tissue for patient-derived organoids, PDX mouse models, tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte harvesting, etc., the BTA Shared Resource will collect the sample of interest in the appropriate medium provided by the researcher. For such projects, either BTA consent or project-specific consent can be utilized. Clinician-scientist collaboration is required to identify the patient and inform the BTA Shared Resource of the surgical date and time to obtain a specific tumor sample.

To request this service, log in to Infinity and select Prospective Tumor Sample Collection.

Clinical Trial Sample Processing and PBMC Isolation

For clinical investigators engaged in clinical trials, the BTA Shared Resource will perform simple sample processing, such as buffy coat separation and PBMC isolation. Upon completion of processing, the investigator or the coordinators will be contacted immediately for pickup.

PBMC isolation can be requested for non-clinical trial projects.

To request this service, log in to Infinity and select Clinical Trials Sample Processing / PBMC Isolation.

Histology and Immunohistochemistry (IHC)

Both human and mouse tissue analysis require high-quality tissue and IHC staining to measure marker expression levels accurately. The research pathologist will first perform H&E-based histopathological quality control of tissues. This includes verifying disease, evaluating tissue quality, and assessing the percentage of tumors in each sample. Immunohistochemistry staining, scoring, and image capture will be performed in tissues that passed the quality control assessment.

The BTA Shared Resource also offers embedding of the tissues in paraffin or OCT, sectioning of paraffin-embedded and frozen tissues, H&E staining, deparaffinization, macrodissection of tissue, and antibody optimization. If applicable, please provide the antibody for IHC analysis. Review the list of antibodies already optimized and validated by BTA and if the antibody is not on the list, please select antibody optimization service in addition to IHC staining.

To request this service, log in to Infinity and select Histology Services & IHC.

Multispectral Imaging

Quantitative multiplex immunofluorescence (qmIF) is a powerful technique that allows researchers to visualize and analyze multiple markers simultaneously on a single tissue slide. Multiple antibodies with fluorophores are utilized to detect target-specific proteins, allowing quantification of cells by their phenotypes. We offer 6-plex multispectral imaging (one DAPI, 6 markers).

Tumor-Infiltrating T-cell Panel

References:

• Maibach et al., 2020 – https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2020.02105/full
• Gattinoni et al., 2017 – https://www.nature.com/articles/nm.4241
• Tay et al., 2021 – https://www.nature.com/articles/s41417-020-0183-x

Please provide the primary antibody. The BTA Shared Resource will bulk purchase the Opal fluorophores on behalf of the investigators. Review the list of optimized antibodies and fluorophores, and if using fluorophores other than Opal, both the primary antibody and the fluorophores must be provided to BTA.

To request this service, log in to Infinity and select Multispectral Imaging.