Grant Text

I. General Description of the OneDukebio Integrated Biospecimen Network

The OneDukebio Integrated Biospecimen Network (ODIN) was originally created within the Duke Center for Human Genetics in the late 1980’s as a collaboration between several Duke investigators. The main function of ODIN at that time was the immortalization and growth of lymphoblast cell lines from whole blood, and the extraction of DNA from those cell lines. Since then, ODIN has grown into a facility that serves more than 50 principal investigators with active projects. Currently, the ODIN is located in the Snyderman Building (Genome Science Research Building I) on the medical campus of Duke University (595 LaSalle St, Durham, NC), occupying approximately 3000 square feet. Rooms housing -80 freezers are equipped with alarm systems for each freezer, emergency power, and two-fold redundant environmental control systems (air conditioning). Access to the facility is controlled by magnetic card-activated door locks, ensuring sample security and confidentiality. There are several commercial biobanks in the Durham area; however, such facilities provide sample storage only, and are not capable of many of the sample manipulations performed in ODIN. In addition to sample storage at 4°C , -80°C, and in liquid nitrogen vapor, the full range of services available through ODIN includes:

  • separation of plasma or serum from whole blood;
  • storage of blood, bodily fluids, and tissue;
  • extraction of DNA from blood, tissue, and saliva;
  • quantization and quality testing of DNA;
  • preparation of Guthrie blood cards;
  • allocation of DNA and RNA, including adjustments of concentration;
  • custom robotic manipulation of DNA, RNA and other liquids;
  • provision and licensing of anonymized DNA samples for use as controls;
  • shipping of DNA or other samples domestic and international;
  • comparison of DNA samples using the CODIS marker panel.

 

ODIN has an extensive array of web-based tools available for the submission of samples. Investigators using the facility utilize sample acquisition forms that contain barcoded stickers printed on special media that can adhere to all surfaces, including frozen tubes. These stickers are affixed to samples such as blood tubes at the time of collection. Minimal patient identifying information is also identified with the same barcoded stickers. In this way, the investigator has a hardcopy record of the ODIN sample number associated with each sample. The investigator can then enter the barcode number using our web-based sign-in software, and at that time can either select standard sample handling instructions, or can specify custom instructions on a sample-by-sample basis.

ODIN users can also use our web-based tools to query their sample collections in a variety of ways. They can visualize DNA yields, sample availability, sample quality scores (e.g. DNA quality), and gender and diagnostic information. They can then use this information to design and submit allocation requests, or to request services such as DNA and RNA extraction.

Informatics. ODIN uses the Nautilus Laboratory Inventory Management System (LIMS) from Thermo Scientific (Waltham MA). This LIMS is used to manage all aspects of sample data management and ODIN workflow. When samples are received at the time of sign-in, the ODIN users have already entered basic information about sample types and amounts, along with any special handling instructions. As part of the signin process, ODIN personnel capture additional variables such as sample volume and sample condition. The LIMS then is used to track the processing of samples as they move through ODIN, creating daughter aliquots, and maintaining full aliquot-level sample history. The LIMS also provides the user interface to allow users to request allocations or other services. As each service is performed by ODIN personnel, Nautilus generates a billing item to manage cost accounting. Nautilus also tracks sample allocations, decrementing sample volumes and amounts automatically as users withdraw samples. Finally, Nautilus is integrated with laboratory equipment such as liquid handling robotics, so as to avoid manual data entry.