Biospecimen Procurement and Translational Pathology Shared Resource Facility (BPTP SRF)
BPTP SRF Overview
Biospecimens: The Markey BPTP SRF provides two main types of services as reflected in its name. Regarding biospecimen procurement, the BPTP SRF collects, processes, annotates, stores and distributes biospecimens to support translational research in cancer and other diseases. These specimens range from archived surgical pathology blocks of tumors, to peripheral blood samples, buccal swabs and others.
Markey BPTP SRF biospecimen support includes assistance in the beginning phase of an investigator’s project by assisting in obtaining IRB certification and performing specimen number queries. BPTP SRF also acquires, processes, and sends out targeted biospecimens in accordance with specific research protocols.
Translational Pathology: In addition to traditional biospecimen procurement-related services, the BPTP SRF also offers translational pathology analytical services. This includes basic services such as full-service histology processing. A major service provided is immunohistochemistry dedicated to research (multiplexing is available). To make IHC more efficient and affordable, the BPTP SRF can construct tissue microarrays using a semi-automated microarrayer. Alternative solid tissue assays offered include in situ hybridization (RNAScope, ACD) and TUNEL assays. In conjunction with the Oncogenomics SRF, the BPTP SRF also provides Nanostring GeoMx Digital Spatial Analysis which enables the quantification of dozens of proteins and thousands of transcripts in specific regions of interest in frozen or formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples. Finally, to quantify signals in tissue sections or measure specific structures, the BPTP SRF provides quantitative image analysis support and services through HALO software/computer station (Indica Labs, Corrales, New Mexico). HALO modules now include artificial intelligence capabilities.
Specific Aims
- Provide high-quality biospecimens, including basic specimen histology and blood processing, to support MCC investigators and collaborators.
- Provide advanced tissue-based services, including quantitative image analysis artificial intelligence (AI), multiplexed assays and digital spatial profiling with access to pathologist expertise, to support MCC investigators and collaborators.
- Work efficiently and economically with other resource centers, including other MCC SRFs and other University of Kentucky (UK) research facilities and clinical departments, to optimally tailor project support for MCC investigators and collaborators.
RESEARCH
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Did you acknowledge
the BPTP SRF?
Our services are available to University of Kentucky (UK) faculty and other qualified investigators in partnership with UK faculty. We regularly partner with other Markey Shared Resource Facilities to fulfill researcher needs. Most commonly, we work with the CRI SRF, OG SRF, and BB SRF.
To request any BPTP SRF services, visit the iLab landing page with more detailed instructions, including a one-time account setup.
- Prospective Specimen Collections for Clinical Trials and Others
- Frozen and FFPE (Fixed) Archived Specimen Access
- Basic Histology
- Extracellular Vesicle (EV) Isolation
- Immunohistochemistry and in situ Hybridization
- Tissue Microarray Construction/Use
- Self-serve Histology Equipment (microtome and cryostat)
- Quantitative Image Analysis including Artificial Intelligence (Halo, Indica Labs)
- Advanced Tissue Spatial Heterogeneity Analysis (NanoString GeoMx platform)
For questions or help in setting up your iLab account, or to schedule a consultation, please contact BPTP by email.
To request any BPTP SRF services, visit the iLab landing page with more detailed instructions, including a one-time account setup.
For questions or help in setting up your iLab account, or to schedule a consultation, please contact BPTP by email.
The Biospecimen Procurement and Translational Pathology Shared Resource Facility (BPTP SRF)
Combs Research Building, Room 113A
800 Rose St., Lexington KY 40536-0293
859-257-4717
markey.bstp@uky.edu
Please contact us for pricing. We will provide a detailed breakdown of charges. We will even brainstorm with you on efficient economizing.
What information comes with the specimens?
The type of information depends on what is requested by the investigator. In collaboration with Markey Cancer Research Informatics SRF, the Biospecimen Procurement and Translational Pathology Shared Resource Facility (BPTP SRF) can provide disease type (or control), age, gender, staging, histological diagnosis, smoking history, region, etc., with most specimens.
Is clinical history or follow-up information available?
Clinical history and follow-up data for cancer patients is generally available, with IRB approval, through a partnership with Markey Cancer Research Informatics and the Kentucky Cancer Registry/SEER database. Some clinical data may require a manual chart review by BPTP staff which can incur additional fees. Please contact the BPTP for more information.
How do I get IRB approval?
Learn more about the Office of Research Integrity or request a non-human subjects determination from the IRB here.
What is ORIEN Avatar and how can I access data?
BPTP, in collaboration with Markey’s Precision Medicine Group, submits tumor and germline sequencing from eligible patients who consented to the Markey Total Cancer Care Protocol for research-grade whole-exome sequencing and RNASeq. Learn more about the ORIEN protocol or submit a data request.
Do you have frozen tumor samples and matched normal tissues available?
We have thousands of high-quality tumor and normal samples and other types of specimens including processed blood samples, predominantly stored in vapor-phase liquid nitrogen freezers. Because our inventory continues to change and grow, please contact us with your specific requests so we may provide you with current inventory information.
Acknowledge the BPTP SRF
Investigators are required to acknowledge the Markey Cancer Center Biospecimen Procurement and Translational Pathology Shared Resource Facility (BPTP SRF) in any publications that result from the use of biospecimens or information received through the MCC BPTP SRF. Please use the following statement to acknowledge the BPTP SRF.
“This research was supported by the Biospecimen Procurement and Translational Pathology Shared Resource Facility of the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center (P30CA177558).”
