Laboratory Research Trials

Our Center participates in several sponsored initiatives for blood collection. These specimens are used in future studies to verify the performance and validation of different laboratory assays that improve the diagnostic and early detection of numerous diseases.

We are actively collecting blood specimens from the following populations:

• HIV +
• Hepatitis B+ and past exposure
• Hepatitis C+ and past exposure
• Hepatitis E
• Individuals suspected of having hepatitis but without a confirmed diagnosis

If you are interested in participating, please contact us at the below address:

Contact Information

Schiff Center/Hepatology Research Laboratory
Address: 1600 NW 10^th Avenue Rm 7163, Miami, FL 33136
Phone: 305-243-6500

We also have a community study for COVID-19 where we provide testing to subjects at increased risk or with liver disease. 

You can contact us for participation if you meet the following inclusion criteria:

• Adults over 18 y/o and children over 13 y/o
• Direct contact with person(s) infected with COVID-19/SARS-CoV2
• History of signs and symptoms of COVID-19/ SARS-CoV2 infection
• Occupational risk (healthcare worker, fireman, paramedic, policeman, mortician, nursing home personnel, store clerk, janitor, trash collector, etc.)
• Adults living in nursing homes or long-term care facilities (ALF)
• Individuals of any age who have serious underlying conditions (i.e. lung, liver, and heart diseases, autoimmune disorders, are immunocompromised, diabetes, obesity, etc.)
• Subjects with a foreign travel history to endemic areas since November 2019
• History of recent incarceration but not currently incarcerated

Our sponsors include Siemens Healthineers, Roche Molecular and Diagnostics, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Discovery Life Science, and Biokit, among others.

Schiff Center/Hepatology Research Laboratory is a reliable, economical, and comprehensive center of excellence for:

• Clinical studies and outcome research.
• Technology assessment for instrumentation and method evaluation
• Reference laboratory capabilities for in-vitro diagnostic manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and commercial vendors
• Clinical, applied, and basic research investigations of novel biomarkers in liver diseases and infectious diseases
• The University of Miami Hospital and Jackson Medical System provide an excellent resource for patient enrollment and specimen acquisition for clinical studies and trials, outcome assessments, and research studies in liver diseases and other selected specialties. All research is approved by the UM/Jackson IRB Committee for Human Subjects Research in a timely period, for rapid study implementation.
• Since 1970 Dr. Schiff and his staff have carried out over 300 clinical studies, trials, and analytical evaluations. These studies focus on liver diseases, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, NASH, NAFLD, among others.

Services provided by the laboratory include:

• Design and implementation of clinical and analytical trials for 510(k) and PMA protocols along with FDA regulations
• Testing on human serum, plasma, or tissue samples
• Reference range determination customized for age, ethnicity, and gender diversity
• Diverse instrumentation to support comparative testing

Cardiac Biomarkers Studied

• Cardiac troponin, including high-sensitivity assays
• NT-proBNP

Hepatitis

• aHBc Total
• aHBe
• HCV

Infectious Diseases

• EBV antibodies
• Rubella antibodies
• HIV antibodies
• Others 

Instrumentation

1. Automated Platforms: 

• Siemens ADVIA Centaur CP, XP, XPT, and Atellica IM System
• Ortho Clinical Diagnostics Vitros ECi, 3600, 5600, and 7600
• Roche Ampliprep and Taqman
• Cepheid Xpert XVI

2. Point of Care:

• Cepheid Xpert Xpress IV (CLIA Waived)

3. Other Instrumentation:

• Molecular Devices (PCR-BioRad CFX 96 Deep Well)
• Micro-Plate Reader and Scanner
• Eppendorf 5430 Microcentrifuge
• Water Bath Precision 183
• Millipore AFs-16D Water Filtration System
• Thermo Temperature Monitoring System