Biorepository and Bioanalysis Centre (BBC)

The BBC will be located at McMaster University and will house a research laboratory dedicated to undertaking detailed sample analysis to answer a variety of research questions. The BBC will be established according to the key principles of optimum storage, rigorous quality control, stringent security, and efficiency. The majority of testing will be conducted sometime after recruitment and therefore methods of collection, processing, shipment, and storage of the specimens must be developed to attain long-term sample integrity for accuracy of biomarker measurement.

The mechanism of storage for the biological samples is critical to their value in future scientific investigations.This laboratory will be centered around a flexible automated liquid handling system together with an integrated flow cytometer for cell studies, a bioplexing cytometer based on X-MAP technology for protein and small analyte determinations, and a spectrofluorometric plate reader for functional and other protein assays, including ELISA. This platform is designed around flexibility and efficiency for individual sample utilization. Furthermore, DNA, RNA, and membrane preparations will be carried out for other researchers, making this an extremely flexible system. Efficiency will be exercised through measurement of multiple analytes by utilizing several platforms at the same time. In this way, use of each cryovial mitigates refreezing and therefore potential degradation that may occur due to freeze-thaw processes.

Although the laboratory will be centered on this platform, smaller scale capabilities in the laboratory will be available including cell culture equipment (i.e., incubators, laminar flow hood), electrophoresis equipment, and the potential to add other instruments (i.e., a mass spectrophotometer).