The Markey Biospecimen Core Program

 

The Markey Biospecimen Core Program provides translational scientists at the University of Kentucky with materials to use in bench research by collecting specimens for them at the bedside.

 

Markey Cancer Center leadership recognized the importance of providing sufficient biospecimens to researchers for studies involving early detection, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of cancer. As of 2006, the Markey Biospecimen Core Program (BCP) acquires, annotates, stores, and distributes high quality biological specimens for use in IRB-approved translational research projects by University of Kentucky, and other qualified investigators in partnership with UK faculty.

 

The BCP is housed in an 800 square foot laboratory on the 2nd floor of Multidisciplinary Research Building 3 at the University of Kentucky. Its purpose is to collect, process, store, annotate, and manage human biological specimens. It is equipped with wet bench capabilities, secure storage cabinets, and Web access. The facility contains a multipurpose centrifuge (Beckman Coulter Allegra X-22R), four isothermal, liquid nitrogen, vapor phase storage systems (three CBS V-1500A freezers and one CBS V-3000 freezer) computers with bar-code software and scanner, and other minor pieces of equipment required to process and manage biological samples.

Data regarding samples and donors is managed in a software application (caTissue) developed by the National Cancer Institute. This information is housed on a secure server at the Kentucky Cancer Registry on Harrodsburg Road in Lexington, Kentucky.

 

BCP Services

 

BCP provides two types of specimen sets:

 

Biospecimens banked for future use

Prospective collection of blood samples and excess tissue removed in surgery from donors who have cancer, as well as blood samples from healthy donors participating in programs such as the UK Ovarian Screening Program. These specimens are stored in vapor phase liquid nitrogen tanks at -180° C until researchers with approved projects request them.

 

Targeted collection for specific purposes

Collection, storage and management of various sample types for specific pre-approved research projects. In some instances, these collections are fully subsidized by the Markey Cancer Center. This eliminates the need for researchers to create collection and storage mechanisms within their own labs.