# Biospecimen and Pathology Core

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2020 · $151,778

## Abstract

PROJECT ABSTRACT
Effective procurement of biospecimens, and their optimal utilization has been vital for the success of our
translational research activities. The Biospecimen and Pathology Core (BPC) will oversee collection and
maintenance of biospecimens (tumor, premalignant and adjacent non-malignant tissues), serum, plasma,
peripheral blood lymphocytes, stool, breast cancer cell lines, and derivate biomolecules (DNA and RNA) for
laboratory use. We have organized an effective coding system for all biospecimens to ensure patient
confidentiality and to prevent experimental bias. This collection of biospecimens will be expanded to include
breast organoid biobank to generate most relevant, cost-efficient, high-throughput platform available for
genomic, functional and drug discovery studies with the emphasis on cancer disparities. The data collected
from biospecimens will be linked to patient clinical information using ONCO-D, a new web-based integration
datamart with a comprehensive search engine. Continuous communication between the surgeons, nurses,
epidemiologists and pathologists, as well as standardized operating procedures for activities ensures optimal
biospecimen collection and accurate processing, analysis and storage of each sample. Samples are ready for
further processing and multilayer comprehensive histological and molecular characterization in an efficient
manner, in a CAP-accredited biorepository that assures good quality control while ensuring that these precious
materials are not wasted. Our unique collection of biospecimens is highly annotated with pre-analytic and
analytic variables (derived from patient questionnaires) from an ethnically diverse population including large
numbers of African, African American patients, high risk families and patients with high risk breast lesions. We
attained a consent rate of 90% with majority of the approached patients accepting participation in our program.
This was achieved with the use of dedicated recruiters, and by utilizing a universal consenting process that
allows patients to select various levels of participation (questionnaires, blood, tissue, saliva, urine, stool,
imaging, access to medical records within University of Chicago and at outside institutions, willingness to
participate in research). The BPC is led by faculty-level epidemiologists, pathologists and clinicians and is
staffed by senior UCCCC Core Lab Directors and tissue banking experts who will be integral partners and will
directly participate in all projects. This Core and its personnel have a track record of translational research
accomplishments. The specimens have been distributed to and used by investigators outside of the SPORE
and at other institutions resulting in a large number of high impact publications from our SPORE investigators.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9994739
- **Project number:** 5P20CA233307-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** MARK W. LINGEN
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $151,778
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-13 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9994739

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9994739, Biospecimen and Pathology Core (5P20CA233307-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9994739. Licensed CC0.

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