# Cooperative Human Tissue Network Support through Duke's BioRepository & Precision Pathology Center

> **NIH NIH UM1** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $719,670

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
High-quality biospecimens are critical to cancer research. The CHTN Southern Division leverages the CAP-
accredited biorepository broad-consent framework and faculty/staff expertise of the Duke BioRepository &
Precision Pathology Center (BRPC) to provide high-quality biospecimens to investigators through the National
Cancer Institute’s Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN). Distribution of high quality biospecimens and
data and the additional CHTN missions of biobanking best practice dissemination and community education
are addressed through the following four specific aims. Aim 1: Efficiently provide high-quality tissue, blood
and fluid biospecimens to CHTN investigators for basic and early translational research. Specimen collection
is facilitated at Duke University Hospital and Duke networked hospitals Duke Regional Hospital and Duke
Health Raleigh Hospital, as well as the CHTN Southern Division subsite at Atlantic Health System in
Morristown, New Jersey. The latest technologies in sample processing including viable specimen preservation,
tumor enrichment, nucleic acid extraction, genotyping, biomarker phenotyping, whole slide imaging, tissue
microarray, immunohistochemistry, digital image analysis and digital spatial profiling are also available. Aim
2: Provide consultation. Duke pathologists and biorepository staff provide expert consultation to CHTN
investigators on use of human biospecimens, assay selection and sample processing with an eye toward fit-
for-purpose pre-analytics. Aim 3: Develop and disseminate knowledge on high-quality practices for
biorepositories. This CHTN Southern Division team will take on new projects and disseminate results through
publication and presentation at national and international meetings. The Southern Division PI will continue to
serve in national and international leadership roles within the biorepository community. Aim 4: Educate the
local, regional and national community on the importance of biospecimens in biomedical research. Locally, the
CHTN Southern Division at Duke University will continue to engage the Durham, NC community through the
Duke Cancer Institute’s Community Outreach & Engagement Core, participating in two-way dialogue through
events such as Community-Scientist Roundtables and Biobank tours, seeking specifically increasing the
number of samples available for research from underrepresented populations. The Southern Division will
continue to leverage opportunities to educate the public and the scientific community about the importance of
having sufficient, high-quality, annotated biospecimens available for research. Examples include podcasts,
meeting presentations geared toward general scientific research audiences, newsletters, and social media
postings.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10882707
- **Project number:** 2UM1CA239755-06
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Shannon Jones McCall
- **Activity code:** UM1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $719,670
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-05-02 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10882707

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10882707, Cooperative Human Tissue Network Support through Duke's BioRepository & Precision Pathology Center (2UM1CA239755-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10882707. Licensed CC0.

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