Biorepository Core (HIHG)

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Extraction of high quality and stable DNA is essential for downstream genomics applications and long-term sample storage. The biorepository offers a suite of solutions for extraction from a variety of input types and amounts to assist in any project's specific needs.

• FlexSTAR+ Automated Extraction: Automated purification of genomic DNA from mid to large-volume samples
  
• Qiagen Symphony: Automated purification of DNA and RNA from a wide variety of input sample types.
  
• Manual Extraction: Manual extraction is offered for precious or limited starting material samples, using a variety of kit types that are appropriate for the sample type and the amount of input material.

From DNA, RNA, blood, plasma, serum, urine and tissue, to cell lines and tissue blocks & slides, the biorepository can meet all your biosample storage needs. Our 7,000 sq. ft. facility has the ability to store at temperatures from ambient to liquid nitrogen.

Azenta Automated BioStore II -80°C System

An automated biological storage and sample management system, offering flexible and modular solutions designed with the highest levels of security and reliability and quick access and retrieval of samples.

• Hamilton VANTAGE: An automated liquid handlers to optimize efficiencies and throughput during sample processing. Allows for the integration with other automated systems and LIMS databases to further reduce human error and ensure sample integrity. 
  
• Nautilus LIMS: Track processing and usage workflows to provide accurate and precise sample data management.

With the ever increasing demand of high-throughput genomics for higher quality DNA in smaller and smaller amounts, the quantitation and qualitation of DNA is paramount to successful research. Using a variety of methods, the biorepository can assure that your amount and quality of input is accurate.

• Nanodrop spectrophotometry: Industry leader in micro-volume UV-Vis quantitation of nucleic acids
  
  
• Qubit fluorometric analysis: Fluorometer to specifically quantify DNA, RNA, and protein with unprecedented accuracy, sensitivity, and simplicity 
• Agarose gel qualitation: Every DNA sample is run on an agarose gel to determine the size of the DNA and ensure that it has not been nicked or degraded.
• BioAnalyzer/Tapestation: Quantify and accurately determine the quality of DNA and/or RNA with the latest technology
• Quanterix HD-X Platform: Measure low-abundance biomarkers at femtogram levels with exceptional precision. SIMOA® technology isolates individual molecules in a droplet-based system, allowing for the detection of biomarkers in complex biological samples such as blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid.
• ARGO™ HT System: A fully automated, high-throughput proteomics platform offering ultra-sensitive, multiplexed analysis for comprehensive biomarker profiling, validation, and clinical translation.

The biorepository tissue culture facility offers a wide range of cell culture services from primary establishment to regrowth from frozen vials.

Specializing in transformation from blood to lymphoblast and primary fibroblast cultures, the facility can manage multiple anchorage and suspension-type cells in most any size or volume to meet the researcher’s needs with pricing starting at $200/sample.

• Lymphoblast
• Fibroblast
• Keritinocyte

As the desire to perform genomic analyses on smaller amounts and on older input material increases, the necessity to accurately and uniformly amplify whole genome DNA grows.

The biorepository uses the Qiagen Repli-G kit with a multiple displacement amplification technique to replicate precious DNA samples with little template bias for an accurate representation of the starting material with pricing starting at $25/sample.

Please do not ship any samples prior to contacting the HIHG Biorepository. All study samples (internal/external) need to be approved for acceptance by the HIHG Biorepository Core prior to shipment. Once samples have been approved for acceptance, please send an email with the Principal Investigator’s name to alert us that samples are on the way to hihgbank@med.miami.edu. 

Please be sure to follow all applicable International Air Transportation Association (http://www.iata.org/index.htm) regulations for packaging and shipping. We prefer that samples be shipped Monday through Wednesday. Ship via overnight carrier when possible; the time from patient draw and arrival at the biorepository should be three days or less. If longer times are anticipated for sample arrival due to remote location or field trip scheduling, consideration should be made to ensure sample integrity is maintained throughout the life of the shipment. This may include the use of temperature loggers, wet/dry ice, insulated shippers, etc. Please reach out the HIHG Biorepository for guidance. Additionally, please send an electronic manifest to hihgbank@med.miami.edu prior to sending the biological specimen. 

Shipping and Contact Address
HIHG Biorepository
1453 NW 9th Avenue
Suite 139
Miami, FL. 33136
Lab Phone: 305-243-3822
Email: hihgbank@med.miami.edu

An often overlooked but essential element of sample identification and storage is the design and printing of labels.

Let our experienced scientists help design label solutions for your research without investing in expensive equipment or software training time. We can accommodate label printing on a variety of media types.

• Brady LabelSoft8 software: Customize the content and design to fit your unique laboratory needs.