Core C: Biospecimen and Biomarker Core

CORE C: SUMMARY The Biospecimen and Biomarker Core C of the Yale SPORE in Lung Cancer (YSILC) has and will focus on the continuous acquisition, processing and analysis of high-quality blood and tissue samples from patients with lung cancer, as well as the development and execution of robust biomarkers to support the main YSILC projects and the Career Enhancement and Developmental Research Programs projects. This shared resource will continue to provide access to unique samples and sample derivatives, perform systematic quality control procedures to secure scientific rigor, enhance the technical skills and capacities beyond the individual projects, and ensure consistency and reproducibility across YSILC activities. The mission of Core C is to maximize the scientific quality and output of the YSILC projects by providing highest quality biospecimens backed up by rigorous molecular analysis using both conventional and next generation technologies. The biospecimen operations will specialize in the acquisition, processing, storage, annotation, quality control and distribution of samples from lung cancer patients including primary (unmodified) specimens and secondary (modified) tumor samples including tissue microarray-based cohorts, “live” single cell suspensions and fresh tumor-associated primary explants. The biomarker activities will include providing access to comprehensive biomarker capacities and tissue analysis services including multidimensional quantitative measurements of proteins and nucleic acids from solid and liquid specimens. This Core is co-led by Drs. Kurt Schalper and David Rimm, both with unique and complementary expertise. Dr. Schalper brings knowledge in biospecimen collection, molecular pathology, tumor immunology, correlative clinical trial studies and the generation of ex vivo tumor models. Dr. Rimm brings expertise in quantitative pathology, biospecimen science, spatial biomarkers and regulatory aspects. The specific aims are: Aim 1: To collect, maintain and distribute high quality biospecimens for use in Projects 1-3, Developmental Research and Career Enhancement Programs projects; Aim 2: To develop and distribute advanced secondary biospecimens to support Projects 1-3 and other YSILC activities; and Aim 3: To conduct or assist in molecular pathology analyses of biospecimens including quantitative protein analysis and high-plex discovery.