Testing

Samples are aliquoted (when necessary) and frozen utilizing the resources of the Indiana Biobank. Samples are stored in a specimen storage facility in the IU Innovation Center building under the supervision of the Indiana Biobank/Indiana University Genetics Biobank. Samples are stored in accordance with International Society of Biologic and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) best practices and protocol defined sample parameters.

A global unique identifier are randomly assigned to each sample and derivative. Samples of the same person can only be linked by authorized persons who have access to the data in the database. The data is stored in an access-controlled database and stored on a secure server. Standard operating procedures for database and file system level backups as well as database restoration procedures are in place. Access to the database is based on access control policies. Database access is restricted and granted through roles/privileges.

Preservation and Storage of Specimens

All samples are anonymized by assigning a bar coded ID number at the time of processing.  The bar-coded ID number and location of each sample in the freezer will be entered and tracked in a laboratory information management system.

The freezers are secured and wired to an alarm system. The daily monitoring and maintenance of the freezers are managed by the Indiana Biobank/Indiana University Genetics Biobank.

All samples are kept until they are used in their entirety.

Biological samples and future ‘omic’ analyses

The global unique identifier of samples are used to link biological samples and the relevant data in the electronic medical record. DNA and RNA may be extracted from the biological samples collected. Plasma, serum and other blood sample derivatives may be obtained from the collected blood sample. A number of approaches are available to explore the variation in DNA and RNA. For example, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can be genotyped using DNA samples. Sequencing can be completed using both DNA and RNA.

Investigators may be asked to return results of studies performed on these samples. If we receive any data generated from these studies, the data will be stored as part of the repository in an access-controlled database on a secure server. Any resulting data may be made available to other researchers as part of either a sample or data request. Any published results will not identify subjects.

In some cases, if the studies are funded by the NIH or other funding agencies, it may be required that the investigator place the resulting data in a controlled-access database, such as the database of genotypes and phenotypes (dbGaP). This information will be de-identified and will not contain any identifiers such as name, date of birth, address, or telephone number. There is a slight risk that there could be a breach in the security of this database system resulting in the access of information. Safeguards at the government health database are in place to minimize this risk.

Request a Sample

Researchers requesting samples from the FIT Core tissue bank should contact the program navigator. The navigator will assist with providing the necessary forms and agreements, routing completed proposal submission forms to the FIT Core proposal review committee and will relay the committee's decisions. Appeals may also be submitted to the navigator, who will route them to the proposal review committee for resolution.

Dominguez JM 2nd, Moe SM, Chen NX, McKinley TO, Brown KM, Liu Y, Gao H, Natoli RM. Single-cell RNA sequencing of intramedullary canal tissue to improve methods for studying fracture repair biology. Biotechniques. 2021 Aug;71(2):431-438.