# Biospecimen & Biomarker Development Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2024 · $68,513

## Abstract

ABSTRACT—Biospecimen and Biomarker Development Core
The goal of the Program Project (PP) is to reduce the burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related mortality
through better understanding of contemporary risk factors (e.g., phenotypic, biochemical and genetic markers of
metabolic dysfunction) and preventive strategies (e.g., chemoprevention) of HCC related to metabolic
(dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). To accomplish our goal, will need repeated collection,
shipping, processing and storage of thousands of blood samples that can be linked to demographic and clinical
data. These samples come from participants at one of eight clinical sites of the Texas HCC Consortium (THCCC)
prospective cohort. We propose 3 Projects, 2 shared resource Cores: Biospecimen and Biomarker
Development Core (BBDC) and Data and Analysis Core, and the Administrative Core.
The primary objectives of the BBDC are 1) to produce high-quality DNA, plasma, and serum for research
projects using standardized collection and processing procedures and 2) to spearhead biomarker assay
development and validation that supports the projects in the PP. The aims of the BBDC are to (1) receive,
process, and catalog all blood samples from patients participating in the THCCC; (2) Allocate and distribute
appropriate research samples to investigators and projects, and work with the biospecimen prioritization group
to prioritize samples; (3) Develop and conduct HCC biomarker assays and analyses as needed for Projects; and
(4) Maintain a biobank of well-annotated samples for future research.
The BBDC will serve as the central location to fully support these functions using previously developed standard
operating procedures. The BBDC will work closely with the Data and Analysis Core to maintain the sample
inventory database, produce labels with unique sample barcodes, and produce lists of patients with specific
characteristics, so the samples needed can be pulled for analysis. The BBDC will also provide up-to-date and
accurate data on sample availability and ensure that the Projects receive optimal samples for the proposed
analyses. Centralizing specimen processing and storage ensures consistent, high-quality sample preparation
that will help achieve the goals of the Projects and minimize costs. The BBDC will also ensure accurate
recordkeeping and guard patient protected health information. Importantly, the Core will provide expertise in
biomarker assay development and application, oversee sample preparation, profile additional targets and liaise
with institutional cores. Thus, the BBDC will provide indispensable services critical for the scientific and
operational success of the PP.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10874541
- **Project number:** 5P01CA263025-03
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael E. Scheurer
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $68,513
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10874541

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10874541, Biospecimen & Biomarker Development Core (5P01CA263025-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10874541. Licensed CC0.

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