Biospecimen Repository Core

National Institute Of Neurological Disorders And Stroke

Investigators

Abstract

The facility of NINDS Biospecimen core has been established in the newly renovated lab in 2N104, located in Bldg.10, in February of 2023. As of September 2023, the repository is storing, maintaining, and dispersing samples from over 14 different NINDS protocols, as well as collecting and processing clinical samples from 9 active studies, with a 10th about to go live in the coming weeks. There are also several additional interested NINDS investigators who have met with repository personnel to begin the process of sending their samples to the Core. From February 2023 through the end of August, the repository has accessioned and processed clinical research specimens from more than 200 individuals, amounting to over 6000 individual biological specimens available for research use. The workload of the repository has been steadily increasing over this time as knowledge of the facility has spread and additional investigators have begun providing samples. Also, some current investigators have initiated additional new clinical protocols. As to the mission of maintaining NINDS historical samples, the repository is in the process of sorting, accessioning, and transferring the many hundreds of specimens comprising Dr. Majors collection. There has also been a preliminary meeting with Dr. Goldsteins team regarding transfer of a large collection of research samples maintained in his lab. Repository personnel are also providing technical laboratory research skills to several investigators by carrying out assays with specimens from those investigators studies. The SIMOA is one assay that has been performed for multiple investigators. Single Molecule Array is considered the gold-standard assay for measuring levels of several key markers of neurological injury or disease, such as Neurofilament-light, TAU protein, cytokines, and other proteins or nucleic acids. The Core lab can return data on the marker(s) of interest to an investigator in a very timely manner after they have provided the sample information and request, thus allowing investigators access to an assay that might otherwise be logistically difficult for them to perform. A second assay being carried out by repository personnel is the Seahorse assay for mitochondrial function. This assay uses a clinical blood sample that is processed and then used for the mitochondria assessment assay that same day. To date, the lab has performed about 15 Seahorse assays for one investigator for a specific protocol. Lastly, the repository houses a Cytec spectral cytometer for performing multicolor flowcytometry. One the of the repository scientists has extensive flow cytometry experience, and so the lab has begun to assist some of the NINDS investigators with flow cytometric research assays. Looking ahead, future goals of the repository are to continue to provide high-quality technical services for clinical specimen processing, storage, and dispersal, with maintenance of all critical record keeping. The lab will continue to actively recruit NINDS investigators to use the repository for their samples and be open to expanding our services if there is a general need. An example of this is DNA extraction from peripheral blood, which is something that many investigators have expressed would by extremely helpful if it could be performed by the Core. To that end, the repository would like to make DNA extraction an available service in the future. Another future consideration is the development of a basic website, where the mission and procedures of the lab could be listed, and the various forms and contact information would be available.