Core 2: Biorepository, Biomarker Analysis and GI Organoids

CORE 2 ABSTRACT In this renewal, all three projects share an integrated, synergistic focus on GI GVHD. Core 2 has developed new services related to GI GVHD in both clinical and experimental BMT in order to meet this focus of all three projects. The core continues to maintain and curate the MAGIC biorepository (objective 1). During this cycle we collected and processed more than 30,000 research samples from 3000 patients. Samples are aliquoted into barcoded tubes that are linked to the patient, date and sample type. The core also continues to provide central analysis for both human and mouse biomarkers (objective 3). We have developed rigorous quality control processes for real time screening of patient samples for clinical trial eligibility and reporting of results to all participating sites within 24 hours. The first new service provided by this core (objective 2) is the use of computer programming to enhance the flexibility of the MAGIC biorepository and database. This programming reduces data errors and facilitates rapid creation of contemporaneous controls for single arm clinical trials. The second new service (objective 4) establishes and analyzes gastrointestinal organoid cultures. These cultures permit the analysis and quantification of intestinal stem cells in models of GVHD damage in vitro that permit evaluation of key survival and apoptotic pathways. The objectives therefore are: 1. To maintain and curate the MAGIC biorepository. 2. To use computer programming to enhance the flexibility of the MAGIC biorepository and facilitate its linkage to the clinical database. 3. To provide central analyses of both human and mouse biomarkers. 4. To provide a central process for the establishment and analysis of GI organoids.