UWCCC Research
Resource for Researchers

Biospecimen Repository / Submit a Request

Our biospecimen repository contains samples from nearly 7,000 unique donors, including both tissue and blood products. Our samples represent a broad array of disease, often with matched normal controls, including multiple tissue microarrays (TMAs) from multiple cancer types, COVID-associated specimens, and blood from healthy volunteers.  If you have questions about our inventory, please contact us so that we can identify the specimens within our bank that will meet your needs.

Forms for all TSB BioBank requests (inventory and service) can be found at our iLab page.  See the below sections for more information:

Biospecimens Information and Requests

Queries with respect to the TSB BioBank inventory can be directed to the TSB BioBank Facility Manager via the Inventory Inquiry Form in BioBank’s iLab.

For biospecimens requests, click on the tab below that best describes your request and follow the instructions.

Follow these instructions if you are requesting biospecimen samples under the BioBank’s WiscShare protocol (Protocol 2016-0934), which allows distribution of biospecimens with coded patient data.  This accommodates any studies that do not need patient identifiable data.

  1. Submit the Inventory Inquiry Form via iLab which will be sent to the TSB BioBank Facility Manager to ensure there are sufficient banked specimens available for the proposed project.
  2. The TSB BioBank Facility Manager will inform you if there are sufficient banked specimens available. If specimens are available, the TSB BioBank Facility Manager will ask the investigator to send their research proposal to be reviewed by the Disease Specific Advisory sub-committees and the TSB BioBank Faculty Leader, who will assess the proposal’s biological material request and review the prioritization of specimens.
  3. The TSB BioBank Facility Manager will inform the investigator of the committee’s response within 2 weeks.
  4. Once notified, please submit the Formal Biospecimen Request Form.
  5. For requests that receive approval, disbursement of samples will usually occur within three weeks of submitting the formal request.

Follow these instructions if you are requesting biospecimen samples that require patient identifiable information (i.e., do not fall under the BioBank’s “Honest Broker” IRB), and IRB approval has already been obtained by the study PI.

  1. Submit the Inventory Inquiry Form via iLab which will be sent to the TSB BioBank Facility Manager to ensure there are sufficient banked specimens available for the proposed project.
  2. The TSB BioBank Facility Manager will inform you if there are sufficient banked specimens available. If specimens are available, the TSB BioBank Facility Manager will request a copy of your IRB approved protocol. The Disease Specific Advisory Sub-Committees and the TSB BioBank Faculty Leader then review the IRB approved protocol to assess the protocol’s biological material request and review the prioritization of specimens.
  3. The TSB BioBank Facility Manager will inform the investigator of the committee’s response within 2 weeks.
  4. Once notified, please submit the Formal Biospecimen Request Form via iLab.
  5. Biospecimen disbursement will usually occur within two weeks of receiving the Formal Biospecimen Request Form and approved IRB protocol.

Follow these instructions if you are requesting biospecimen samples that require patient identifiable information (i.e., do not fall under the BioBank’s “Honest Broker” IRB), and IRB approval has NOT yet been obtained by the study PI.

  1. Submit the Inventory Inquiry Form via iLab which will be sent to the TSB BioBank Facility Manager to ensure there are sufficient banked specimens available for the proposed project.
  2. The TSB BioBank Facility Manager will inform you if there are sufficient banked specimens available. If specimens are available, the TSB BioBank Facility Manager will request a copy of your protocol. The Disease Specific Advisory Sub-Committees and the TSB BioBank Faculty Leader will then review the protocol to assess the protocol’s biological material request and review the prioritization of specimens.
  3. The TSB BioBank Facility Manager will inform the investigator of the committee’s response within 2 weeks.
  4. If the research proposal is approved by the TSB BioBank, then PRMC and IRB approval will be required prior to sample distribution. Please see the UW Carbone Cancer Center internal PRMC website (NetID required, contact crco@uwcarbone.wisc.edu for access) for further information regarding PRMC Reviews.
  5. After PRMC approval is obtained, the research protocol should be submitted to the IRB (with the PRMC approval notice included in the submission). Contact the Health Sciences IRB Office (608-263-2362) with questions.
  6. After PRMC and IRB approval has been received, please submit the Formal Biospecimen Request Form via iLab and email a copy of the approved IRB protocol to the TSB Program Manager.
  7. Biospecimen disbursement will usually occur within two weeks of receiving the Formal Biospecimen Request and approved IRB protocol.

TMA Information and Requests

Please contact the BioBank to inquire about Tissue Microarrays.

COVID Bank

We have collected blood products from >90 COVID+, >65 COVID negatives, and >115 COVID convalescent consented patients, including samples across multiple time points for a subset of those patients.  COVID  Positive Saliva (from 16 patients) and Positive and negative nasopharyngeal swab remnants are also available.  For further details on inventory, please contact the BioBank Email.