# Core B - Biocore

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2020 · $414,729

## Abstract

Abstract - Core B - BioCore
Core B provides the resources and expertise to process specimens for the hematological, neuroendocrine,
glucoregulatory, metabolic and cytokine indices needed for the research projects. The Core has the requisite
infrastructure and oversight capabilities to ensure reliable and high quality data are generated in a high
throughput manner with centralized testing at single sites. Specifically, the Core works with the 3 clinician-
researchers who supervise nursing staff acquiring blood, urine and saliva specimens at the 3 regional Clinical
Research Units. The BioCore then coordinates many tests at two CAP and CLIA-certified clinical laboratories
for evaluating glucoregulation and lipid metabolism, as well as neuroendocrine assays, including
catecholamines via LC/MS at the Endocrine Services unit of the UW-CTR. Some analytes are determined at
labs that specialize in specific methods, such as dried blood spots (DBS) for the Retention-Early Warning
project, run at the CLIA-CAP accredited Clinical Laboratories of the University of Washington School of
Medicine. Core B also conducts assays, including multi-cytokine arrays using an electrochemiluminescence
platform. Core B receives the saliva specimens for the Daily Stress project, monitors shipment integrity of the
specimens upon receipt, and oversees the assay of salivary cortisol. To fulfill these functions, the Core is the
primary liaison with project investigators and with medical directors at the testing labs, including Meriter Labs in
Madison, WI and ARUP in Salt Lake City, UT. It has its own biochemical facilities for safe processing,
including certified biosafety cabinets and fume hoods, follows Biosafety Level-2 protocols, and has the
requisite number of ultracold freezers for long-term storage of archival aliquots. The scientific expertise of the
Core staff positions MIDUS to be able to add innovative indices, such as ones employed in the Gene
Expression project. It has enabled us to refine and validate more sensitive assays with Lower Limits of
Detection (e.g., reducing the LLOD for urinary epinephrine by 1000-fold). In addition to assays and diagnostic
testing, the Core is responsible for creating the data files of initial test results, which employ a distinct study
code to protect participant confidentiality. In keeping with this record-keeping role, the Core serves as the
repository for all original paper records of test results. It is responsible for all aspects of quality assurance,
including monitoring the integrity of shipped specimens, quality control testing of assay reliability over time, and
determines the need for any retesting of specimens, as well as oversees the 24/7 surveillance of our archival
specimen repository in ultracold freezers. Finally, the Core has a pedagogical role. It generates "norms" for
MIDUS test results to serve as a reference for investigators. In this educational capacity, the Core Director also
provides instruction, giving worksho...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9955133
- **Project number:** 5U19AG051426-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON
- **Principal Investigator:** CHRISTOPHER L COE
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $414,729
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → 2022-09-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9955133

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9955133, Core B - Biocore (5U19AG051426-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9955133. Licensed CC0.

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