# CAP - Consortium to Alleviate PTSD- STVHCS Biomarkers & Genomics Core

> **NIH VA I01** · DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Biomarkers and Genomics Core
The primary objectives of the Biomarkers and Genomics Core are to (1) support the efforts of STRONG STAR-
CAP studies with biomarker or genomic components involving the collection and analysis of biological and
physiological specimens; (2) to centralize the collection, processing, storage, and analysis of samples; and (3) to
maintain a biospecimen repository linkable with clinical data through the overall Consortium data repository;
(4) facilitate the collection of human postmortem tissue in order to accelerate PTSD biomarker discovery; and
(5) link with expertise to facilitate the translation of biomarker discovery into diagnostic and prognostic panels
(e.g., Lee Hood and the Institute for Systems Biology). The Biomarkers and Genomics Core will make use of an
extensive infrastructure developed as part of STRONG STAR over the last four years for accelerating
biomarker studies of PTSD. In addition, through our partnering arrangement with the NCPTSD, we have
expanded to include the resources and expertise available at Yale University as directed by Dr. Gelertner.
The Biomarkers and Genomics Core has developed extensive standardized procedures for collecting blood
specimens for use in DNA, RNA, and plasma base protein and microRNA research. Standard operating
procedures have been developed for PAXgene-based DNA/RNA collection and automated extraction
procedures to optimize the quantity and quality of the sample yields for downstream applications. In addition,
we have refined the methods for plasma collection for downstream proteomic and microRNA applications that
will facilitate the proposed work by Drs. K. Young and L. Hood (see Project 3). The Core is housed in 200,000
square feet of a state-of-the-art research facility, the South Texas Research Facility, located at UTHSCSA. Core
analytic infrastructure includes Illumina iScan with Tecan automation (microarray), Illumina MiSeq (small-
scale NextGen sequencing), Illumina HiSeq (large-scale NextGen sequencing), Fluidigm Biomark HD (real-
time PCR), Qiagen Pyromark Q96 MD (targeted sequencing/methylation), and Luminex FlexMap 3D
(multiplex analyte analysis). In addition to state-of-the-art translational technologies for downstream analyses,
the Biomarkers and Genomics Core also houses the STRONG STAR-CAP biorepository. The biorepository has
the capacity for housing 24 freezers (-80/-130) in a secure card-accessed room. All freezers are monitored real-
time on the UTHSCSA network with temperature notifications delivered via text message, e-mail, and by phone
and 1-minute epoch freezer logs maintained on a virtual server. All samples are extensively catalogued using
Freezerworks to track samples from their origin through their associated derivatives. Working with the Data,
Statistics, and Repository Core, we are currently developing systems integrating the biorepository information
in Freezerworks with the repository dataset to facilitate linking clinical and biomarker data...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10017015
- **Project number:** 5I01CX001141-06
- **Recipient organization:** DURHAM VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** DOUGLAS E WILLIAMSON
- **Activity code:** I01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-09-01 → 2020-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10017015

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10017015, CAP - Consortium to Alleviate PTSD- STVHCS Biomarkers & Genomics Core (5I01CX001141-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10017015. Licensed CC0.

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