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Biosample Repository

To enhance the HCRI's mission of conducting innovative and integrative basic and clinical research to confront the complex challenges of cancer, the Biosample Repository was established to enable researchers to investigate the mechanistic basis of human cancers, to identify new therapeutic targets, and to assess novel biomarkers of disease incidence and/or progression.

In collaboration with pathologists at The South Bend Medical Foundation and physicians at Beacon Medical Group, St. Joseph Health Systems, and other practices around the region, the Biosample Repository collects tissue samples and fluids (blood, urine, saliva, ascites) procured from patients with malignant disease or control populations. These tissue samples and biofluids are distributed to HCRI investigators in a de-identified manner following application to and approval by the Tissue Use Committee and the Notre Dame Institutional Review Board.

The Biosample Repository aims to serve as a centralized resource to procure, process, store, and distribute biosamples to investigators associated with HCRI.

Harper Cancer Research Institute Biosample Repository

  • Principal Investigator: Dr. Sharon Stack. Contact: 574-631-4100
  • For information on tissue procurement and distribution, please contact HCRI Tissue Biorepository Program Coordinator, Verodia Charlestin.
  • University of Notre Dame Institutional Review Board Approval Protocols:
    • Harper Cancer Research Institute Biosample Repository - Blood Collection for Patients 20-01-5795
    • Harper Cancer Research Institute Biosample Repository - Tissue and Ascites Collection from Patients 20-02-5847
    • Mutational Profiling of Human Cancer Tissues 23-02-7638
    • Mutational Profiling of Human Cancer - Kenya 23-06-7947

Equipment Reservation

We make equipment available for use by affiliates of the Harper Cancer Research Institute. Training is required for reservation and use. Please contact Emily Cronberger, Biosample Repository Specialist, at ehender3@nd.edu. Access to the Biosample Repository laboratory space is limited. Those who complete hands-on training with the Biosample Repository Specialist will have access to reserve the following using the GoogleCalendar reservation system:

BioWave Pro

PELCO lab instrument with its door open on a wooden bench, revealing two gray processing containers. A biohazard symbol and "Hot Surface" warning are on the side, with a silver ventilation hose above.

Available for Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) sample prep, microwave-assisted formaldehyde fixation, and antigen retrieval.

Critical Point Dryer

A white and gray Tousimis 931 lab instrument with a digital display, three small vials on top, and an open binder on a stainless steel table in a laboratory.

Available for SEM sample prep.

Download Critical Point Dryer User Manual [PDF, 1MB]

Cytek Flow Cytometer

A grey Cytek NL-2000 flow cytometer on a lab bench, connected to white "Supply" and "Waste" bottles with blue and orange tubing. A monitor displays scientific data to the right.

Cytek Northern Lights (NL)-CLC is equipped with violet, blue, and red lasers.

Download Flow Cytometer User Manual [PDF, 6MB]

View a collection of training videos.

View cleaning instructions here.

Olympus Microscope

An Olympus microscope and computer monitor on a dark lab bench. The screen displays a purple histological image; a keyboard and mouse are in front.

Using cellSens Dimension software, the Olympus Brightfield Microscope can help to digitize histological slides at 4x, 10x, 20x, 40x, and 60x (Oil).

ECHO - Revolution Microscope

A black and white ECHO REVOLUTION digital microscope stands on a lab bench. Adjacent is a computer monitor displaying detailed blue and purple microscopic images, likely of brain tissue or cells, used for scientific research.

Both brightfield and fluorescence capabilities and (DAPI, FITC, TX RED, CY5). Available objectives are 4x, 20x, and 40x.

EVOS M5000

A white and black digital microscope system with a large screen displays a fluorescent blue and green microscopic tissue image. A keyboard, mouse, and orange filter are on the dark lab bench next to a plastic-covered traditional microscope.

EVOS M5000 Imaging System including 4 different type of light cubes. DAPI 357/447 nm; GFP 470/525 nm; TX RED 585/624 nm; CY5 628/692 nm.

Download EVOS M5000 User Manual [PDF, 4MB]

Leica DM5500 Fluorescence Microscope

Lab workstation with a white Leica microscope topped with a blue camera. Adjacent are a black computer monitor, keyboard, and a mouse on a dark countertop.

This fluorescence microscope is designed for detailed views of prepared slides using the LAS-X software with light cubes for DAPI, FITC, RHO, TXR and CY7 as well as transmitted light. These images can all be captured individually or as one whole overlayed image. Available objectives are 4x, 10x, 20x and 40x.

NanoSight NS300

A black NanoSight NS300 instrument with a yellow biohazard sticker and a computer displaying NTA data on a lab bench.

Available for particle size analysis above 50nm.

Download Nanosight 3000 User Manual [PDF, 4MB]

Histotechnology Equipment, including:

Leica TP1020 Tissue Processor

Leica tissue processor with a biohazard sticker on top, containing several grey cylindrical reagent jars behind a clear panel, sits on a lab bench amidst beakers, pipettes, and papers.

Download the Tissue Processer User Manual [PDF, 1MB]

Sakura Embedding Center

A grey Tissue-Tek TEC embedding center in a lab. The left unit displays open trays with dark tissue blocks. The right unit holds white paraffin blocks on its work surface.

Formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues are first fixed in 10% formalin before being brought to the lab to be processed in increasing concentrations of ethanol, followed by xylene treatment and finally exposed to low polymer paraffin that minimizes compression and offers rapid infiltration. Contact the Biosample Repository Specialist for assistance determining which program would be best for your samples. Once samples are processed they can be kept at room temperature prior to embedding into paraffin blocks.

Download Embedding Center User Manual [PDF, 1MB]

Microtome-Leica Biocut

An off-white Leica HistoCore BIOCUT AS microtome sits beside a gray and black HistoCore Multi-Station Workstation with an orange biohazard symbol on a lab bench in a scientific lab.

Embedded tissues can be sectioned as thin as 1 µm to 300 µm using either a high or low profile microtome blades. Antistatic tray surrounding the cutting surface helps to catch stray paraffin ribbons and reduce the mess on the benchtop. Implements are provided along with a water bath that can be adjusted to a tenth of a degree to help improve tissue section capture.

Download HistoCore BIOCUT User Manual [PDF, 2MB]

Cryostat

A white and gray Thermo Scientific lab machine with a biohazard symbol in a research laboratory.
Inside a Cyrostat through a glass panel, displaying precision cutting equipment with orange levers, sample holders, and various small tools like a brush.

For thin sectioning fresh tissue embedded in O.C.T. Compound for histological staining.

Download Cryostat User Manual [PDF, 1MB]

Tissue Banking

A researcher in a white lab coat, blue cryogenic gloves, and safety glasses lifts a metal storage rack from a cryogenic tank, with vapor rising.

Inquiries for sample acquisition can be directed to the Tissue Biorepository Program Coordinator.