Our mission is to facilitate cancer-related basic science, translational and clinical research within the UW-Madison system through the integration of human biospecimen collection and storage with associated histology, molecular, morphometric, and consultative services in conjunction with the TRIP and EAPL Laboratories.
Our WiscShare protocol covers distribution of all archived specimens from consented patients and can be used for future collections as well.
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About Us
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Our Role in Translational Science BioCore (TSB)
The mission of the Translational Science BioCore (TSB) is to facilitate basic and translational cancer research by providing a comprehensive array of services that enable cancer research by providing a comprehensive array of services that enable cancer research through engaging pathologic expertise in the cellular and molecular characterization of human and animal model-derived biospecimens.
Specific Aims
- Aim 1: To provide access to high-quality human-derived biospecimens in a patient-friendly, widely accessible, and compliant manner.
- Aim 2: To facilitate histologic preparation and pathologic interpretation of human and animal tissues.
- Aim 3: To provide high-quality services, expertise, and infrastructure in cellular, molecular, spatial, quantitative, and computational pathology.
Our Partnership with UW Health
The WiscShare protocol relies on UW Health patients to donate biological samples. It covers distribution of all archived specimens from consented patients and can be used for future collections as well. Providers can encourage recruitment within clinic and by using our smart phrase via MyChart: .wiscsharevideo
RedCap e-consent form
Our approach in consenting patients to research:
- On-site advertising: brochures, videos, etc.
- Patient outreach: letters, MyChart outreach
- Direct contact with providers and staff
UW Health Patient Participation via iPad Electronic Consent:
- WiscShare is an easy way for patients to participate in research
- Any UW Health patient can donate to the biobank
- Electronic Consent has a short five-minute video on an iPad to explain the program
- The experience in Oncology Services is that the MAs share an iPad with the video and consent form when they room a patient. Roughly, 60-70% of patients approached agree to participate.
- However, we don’t reach very many patients so the number of patients consenting is low. Patients are interested – please help inform patients about the opportunity!
Services
Interested in utilizing WiscShare for prospective Human Biospecimen Collections?
“Through close integration with the UW Health enterprise, TSB BioBank utilizes an IRB-approved protocol (2023-1237) to collect, process, store, and distribute a broad array of human-derived biospecimens that meet the varying needs of individual investigators.”
Our biospecimen repository contains thousands of already-existing high-quality tissue specimens with clinical annotations. Paired normal tissue and/or blood is often available to complement tumor samples. In partnership with Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine to pursue consent retroactively on archived clinical remnants, and expert consultation available from pathologist partners.
Available Biospecimens for Collection:
| Specimen Type | Populations | Method of Acquisition | Quantity | Distribution and/or Preservation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood |
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| Solid Tissue | Patients |
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| Bone Marrow | Patients |
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| Urine | Patients or Volunteers |
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- All clinical remnants are eligible, e.g. residual ascites or cerebrospinal fluid
- Additional volunteered specimens include surface swabs, nail clippings, etc.
Please visit our iLab page for any service, equipment, or consultation requests.
Equipment
- Cryostat Leica CM1950
- Microtome Thermo Scientific Microm HM5
- Vibratome Leica VT1000S
- BioAnalyzer Agilent 2100
The Leica CM1950 is a rapid sectioning cryostat for advanced routine diagnostics in histology and clinical histopathology. This Leica cryostat offers extremely rapid specimen freezing and frequent changes in specimen temperature, meeting even the highest demands for smooth operation and enhanced safety.
Rental Pricing:
- Training (All Customers): Mon-Tue, 8:00AM – 5:00PM
- UW: $0.00/hr
- External Academic: $0.00/hr
- UW Cancer Center Member: $0.00/hr
- Assisted Use (All Customers): Mon-Fri, 8:00AM – 5:00PM
- UW: $65.00/hr
- External Academic: $102.50/hr
- UW Cancer Center Member: $60.00/hr
- Self Use (Trained & Needs Approval): Mon-Fri, 6:00AM – 9:00AM
- UW: $30.00/hr
- External Academic: $51.25/hr
- UW Cancer Center Member: $25.00/hr
- Industry: $51.25/hr
- Self Use (Trained & Needs Approval): Mon-Fri, 5:00PM – 10:00PM
- UW: $30.00/hr
- External Academic: $51.25/hr
- UW Cancer Center Member: $25.00/hr
- Industry: $51.25/hr
- Self Use (Trained): Mon – Fri, 9:00AM – 5:00PM
- UW: $30.00/hr
- External Academic: $51.25/hr
- UW Cancer Center Member: $25.00/hr
- Industry: $51.15/hr
Section even the largest specimens with unmatched quality by using the electronic Thermo Scientific™ HM 355S Automatic Microtome. It is designed for all applications of paraffin and hard specimens in clinical research and industrial labs.
Rental Pricing
| Service | Timings | UW (hourly) |
External Academic (hourly) |
UWCCC (hourly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training (All Customers) |
Mon-Tue 8:00AM-5:00PM |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| Assisted Use (All Customers) |
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-5:00PM |
$65 | $102.50 | $60 |
| Self Use (Trained & Needs Approval) |
Mon-Fri 6:00AM-9:00AM |
$30 | $50 | $25 |
| Self Use (Trained & Needs Approval) |
Mon-Fri 5:00PM-10:00PM |
$30 | $50 | $25 |
| Self Use (Trained) |
Mon-Fri 9:00AM-5:00PM |
$30 | $50 | $25 |
Sectioning fresh tissue specimens with Leica Biosystems VT Series maintains the morphology, enzyme activity and cell viability of the tissue. It also minimizes artifacts, compression distortion, cell destruction and other inherent deleterious effects of sectioning. The vibrating blade microtomes can greatly improve productivity and reduce costs in the laboratory by producing high quality sections with viable cells without the need of replicating experiments.
Rental Pricing
| Service | Timings | UW (hourly) |
External Academic (hourly) |
UWCCC (hourly) |
Industry (hourly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training (All Customers) |
Mon-Tue 8:00AM-5:00PM |
$0 | $0 | $0 | – |
| Assisted Use (All Customers) |
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-5:00PM |
$50 | $0 | $47.50 | – |
| Self Use (Trained & Needs Approval) |
Mon-Fri 6:00AM-9:00AM |
$15 | $0 | $12.50 | $51.25 |
| Self Use (Trained & Needs Approval) |
Mon-Fri 5:00PM-10:00PM |
$15 | $0 | $12.50 | $51.25 |
| Self Use (Trained) |
Mon-Fri 9:00AM-5:00PM |
$15 | $0 | $12.50 | $51.25 |
The Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer is a microfluidics-based platform that integrates sample handling, separation, detection, and data analysis, enabling prompt and accurate sizing, quantification, and quality control. The 2100 is an extremely easy to use analyzer; simply add the sample, start the chip run, and watch real-time data display. Agilent’s 2100 expert software provides qualitative and quantitative digital data for up to 12 samples in 30 minutes with minimal sample consumption. Specific uses of the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer include RNA/DNA analysis, protein applications, sampling QC in gene expression, and simple flow cytometric analysis of cells.
Rental Pricing
| Service | Timings | UW (hourly) |
External Academic (hourly) |
UWCCC (hourly) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Training (All Customers) |
Mon-Tue 8:00AM-5:00PM |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| Assisted Use (All Customers) |
Mon-Fri 8:00AM-5:00PM |
$0 | $0 | $0 |
| Self Use (Trained & Needs Approval) |
Mon-Fri 6:00AM-9:00AM |
$30 | $50 | $25 |
| Self Use (Trained & Needs Approval) |
Mon-Fri 5:00PM-8:00PM |
$30 | $50 | $25 |
| Self Use (Trained) |
Mon-Fri 9:00AM-5:00PM |
$30 | $50 | $25 |
Acknowledgments
Any published research which received funding from the UWCCC Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG), including the use of UWCCC Shared Resources to generate or analyze data or conduct clinical trials, must reference the UWCCC. See Acknowledging UWCCC in Publications, Posters, and Presentations. Please also acknowledge “UWCCC BioBank” for any work supported by BioBank. Thank you!
Sample Acknowledgment
“The authors thank the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center BioBank supported by P30 CA014520, for use of its facilities and services.”
Contact Us
Faculty Leader: Stephanie McGregor, MD,PhD
Facility Manager: Everlyne Nkadori
Email: BioBank Email
Lab Phone: 608-262-4303
Office Phone: 608-262-8884
Pagers (for urgent requests): 5659 (blood), 7612 (tissue)
Hours at University Hospital: 6:30am-6:00pm M-F
Hours at Eastpark Medical Center: 8:30am-4:30pm M-F
Main Campus Location: WIMR 2058 Map