Sample Types We Bank

NCRAD can receive many types of biological specimens. Current sample types banked at NCRAD are listed below. If the sample type needed for your project is not listed, please contact us to see if we can add it. We are always eager to expand our collections.

For interest in iPSCs or Fibroblasts, please follow the link to this page: iPSCs and Fibroblasts

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Source
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Standard Collection Tubes
CSF
Conical tubes are utilized as the collection receptacle for the CSF upon extraction. 50.0 ml conical tubes are commonly used by NCRAD for this purpose. LP Trays may also be provided for the collection of CSF. These trays may include: introducer needles, plastic leur lock syringes, and lidocaine.
Standard Processing Procedures
CSF
After CSF collection, the entire specimen is inverted to mix sample and centrifuged within 15 minutes.
CSF is aliquoted into pre-chilled polypropylene 2.0 ml tubes according to the study protocol.
Shipment of Samples to NCRAD
Frozen
CSF aliquots are frozen at -80°C and shipped back to NCRAD with dry ice pellets.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

Source
Whole Blood, Brain Tissue, Buffy Coat, Saliva, Transferred DNA aliquots, and Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines (LCL)
Standard Collection Tubes
Whole Blood and Buffy Coat
The EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid) tube is utilized in clinical settings to collect whole blood for the purpose of extracting plasma and buffy coat. The EDTA tube in the kit may be plastic or glass.
Brain Tissue
Brain tissue specimens transferred to NCRAD are sent in self-standing polypropylene 30 ml tubes.
Examples of preferred tubes are: DOT Scientific Part number 642; 30 ml self-standing centrifuge tube or Fisher part number 22-044-320; Evergreen Scientific 30mL freestanding centrifuge tube.
Saliva
The Oragene-Discover Saliva Kit is the only kit currently used by NCRAD for the purpose of collecting human saliva for nucleic acid extraction.
Transferred DNA
DNA transferred to NCRAD arrives in the required 2.0 ml screw top polypropylene microcentrifuge tubes: DOT Scientific 819-S 2.0 ml screw cap microcentrifuge tubes with O-rings
LCL
The ACD (acid citrate dextrose additives), Solution A Tube is utilized in clinical settings to collect whole blood for the purpose of cell line immortalization. Cell line DNA can then be extracted from the LCLs. Tubes drawn for cell line immortalization may be either plastic or glass.
Standard Processing Procedures
Whole Blood
EDTA tube is inverted 8-10 times to thoroughly mix additive and sample prior to centrifugation.
Brain Tissue
Brain tissue specimens are collected per standard procedures of the local institution.
Approximately 2-5g of tissue is requested to complete DNA extraction.
Maximize the amount of gray matter; frontal cortex is preferred but any region will suffice.
Saliva
Saliva kits are only processed in house at NCRAD. Sample collection is per industry released instructions.
LCL
Whole blood collected within the ACD, Solution A tube is processed in house at NCRAD. The ACD tube is inverted 8-10 times to thoroughly mix additive and sample after collection and prior to shipment.
Shipment of Samples to NCRAD
Frozen
Buffy Coat, brain tissue, and transferred DNA aliquots may be shipped back to NCRAD at -80°C on dry ice pellets.
Ambient
Due to the stability of the sample, the saliva kit may be collected and delivered back to the NCRAD biorepository through regular USPS mail or ground transportation.
Those EDTA and ACD collection tubes that do not undergo processing at the location of collection may be sent ambient via next day delivery for processing at NCRAD.

Fibroblasts

Source
Fibroblasts
Standard Collection Tubes
Researchers send us the tubes/vials that are available. NCRAD will provide all packaging and shipping materials.
Standard Processing Procedures
Available fibroblast samples are sent to NCRAD, and processing procedures are focused on the transfer of the samples. Fibroblast samples should be preceded with a completed electronic manifest. To maintain the quality of the samples, shipments should be sent "priority overnight" using the NCRAD provided shipping kit materials. Shipping process should include plenty of dry ice in the event a package is delayed in transit.
Shipment of Samples to NCRAD
Frozen
Fibroblasts may be shipped to NCRAD at -80o C on dry ice pellets. Shipping kits and instructions will be provided, and shipping instructions can also be found here

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC)

Source
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC)
Standard Collection Tubes
Researchers send us tubes/vials that are available. NCRAD will provide all packaging and shipping materials.
Standard Processing Procedures
Available iPSC samples are sent to NCRAD, and processing procedures are focused on the transfer of the samples. iPSC samples should be preceded with a completed electronic manifest. To maintain the quality of the samples, shipments should be sent "priority overnight" using the NCRAD provided shipping kit materials. Shipping process should include plenty of dry ice in the event a package is delayed in transit.
Shipment of Samples to NCRAD
Frozen
iPSC samples may be shipped to NCRAD at -80o C on dry ice pellets. Shipping kits and instructions will be provided, and shipping instructions can also be found here

Lymphoblastoid Cell Lines (LCL)

Source
Whole Blood
Standard Collection Tubes
Whole Blood
The ACD (acid citrate dextrose additives), Solution A Tube is utilized in clinical settings to collect whole blood for the purpose of cell line immortalization. The ACD, Solution A tube may be either plastic or glass.
Standard Processing Procedures
Whole Blood
The ACD tube is never processed at the collection site.
The tube is inverted 8-10 times to thoroughly mix additive and sample immediately after blood collection.
Shipment of Samples to NCRAD
Ambient
The unprocessed ACD collection tube is shipped the day of collection to NCRAD via next day shipping methods once collected.

Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC)

Source
Whole Blood
Standard Collection Tubes
Whole Blood
The sodium heparin tube is utilized in clinical settings to collect whole blood for the purpose of extracting PBMCs.
Standard Processing Procedures
Whole Blood
The sodium heparin tube is never processed at the collection site.
The tube is inverted 8-10 times to thoroughly mix additive and sample immediately after blood collection.
Friday or Saturday sample collection are prohibited for sodium heparin tubes.
Shipment of Samples to NCRAD
Ambient
The unprocessed sodium heparin collection tube is shipped the day of collection to NCRAD via next day shipping methods once collected.

Plasma

Source
Whole Blood
Standard Collection Tubes
Whole Blood
The EDTA (Ethylene Diamine Tetra-acetic Acid) tube is utilized in clinical settings to collect whole blood for the purpose of extracting plasma and buffy coat. The EDTA tubes may be plastic or glass.
Standard Processing Procedures
Whole Blood
The EDTA tube is inverted 8-10 times to thoroughly mix additive and sample prior to centrifugation.
Samples will be centrifuged within 30 minutes of sample collection for the speed and duration dictated by the study protocol. Upon completion of centrifugation, plasma samples are aliquoted for storage and shipment in polypropylene cryovials.
Shipment of Samples to NCRAD
Frozen
Plasma aliquots may be shipped to NCRAD at -80°C packed on dry ice pellets.

Ribonucleic Acid (RNA)

Source
Whole Blood
Standard Collection Tubes
Whole Blood
The PAXgene™ tube is utilized in clinical settings to collect whole blood for the purpose of extracting RNA.
Standard Processing Procedures
Whole Blood
The PAXgene™ tube is never processed at the collection site
The tube is inverted 8-10 times to thoroughly mix additive and sample immediately after blood collection.
If freezing prior to shipment, styrofoam rack use is prohibited. Tube racks made of plastic or wire are approved.
Shipment of Samples to NCRAD
Frozen
PAXgene™ collection tube may be frozen at -80°C and shipped frozen back to NCRAD with dry ice pellets.
Ambient
PAXgene™ collection tube may also be sent ambient via next day delivery.

Serum

Source
Whole Blood
Standard Collection Tubes
Whole Blood
The Serum or Serum Separator (SST) tubes are utilized in clinical settings to collect whole blood for the purpose of extracting serum.
Standard Processing Procedures
Whole Blood
After blood collection, NCRAD standard procedures dictate whole blood processing begin within 60 minutes of specimen collection.
Immediately after blood collection, the serum tube is inverted 8-10 times to thoroughly mix additive and sample.
Blood is then clotted by placing the tube within a tube rack at room temperature for 30 minutes.
Samples will be centrifuged for the speed and duration dictated by the study protocol.
Upon completion of centrifugation, serum samples are aliquoted for storage and shipment in polypropylene cryovials.
Shipment of Samples to NCRAD
Frozen
Serum aliquots are frozen at -80°C and shipped back to NCRAD with dry ice pellets.

Sample Type Not Listed?

Please contact the NCRAD Project Manager, Kelley Faber, at:
Email
kelfaber@iu.edu
alzstudy@iu.edu
Local Phone
317-274-7360
Toll Free Phone
800-526-2839