Biorepository

The Pediatric Biorepository at Medical University of South Carolina has been established for the Pediatric Department and its subspecialities. Our primary goal is to assist clinician researchers in collecting, processing, and storage of biospecimens for current and future research. We offer a growing collection of resources including protocol preparation, prospective collection of specimens stored with 24/7 temperature monitoring, and limited genomic and protein assays.

Staff

Cameron Leyers, MS
Pediatric Biorepository Manager
Contact directly at leyersc@musc.edu
Or pedsbiobank@musc.edu

Services:

Protocol creation
Linkage of clinicopathologic data for research use
Patient outcome data
Body fluid processing and aliquoting
Blood sample processing for distribution and storage
Tissue processing for histological analysis
Extraction of RNA/DNA and protein for assay analysis
Honest broker services

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I request samples?

Please contact the biorepository through email at pedsbiobank@musc.edu or by phone at 843-792-9793.

How are samples organized?

The biorepository utilizes a top-of-the-line management database as well as a barcode printer and scanner for organization.

What population does the biorepository collect from?

Patients of all backgrounds aged 1 day to 17 years of age.

What samples are available?

The biorepository contains a wide range of high quality biospecimens that range from normal to diseased available from surgeries and other routine procedures including:

Stool
Saliva
Plasma
Urine
Cerebral Spinal Fluid
CNS Tissue
Esophageal Tissue
Cardiac Tissue
Bone
Adipose Tissue
Kidney Tissue
Connective Tissue
Other

Does the biorepository collect tumor samples?

The biorepository does not collect malignant or benign tumor samples. Please contact the Biorepository & Tissue Analysis Shared Resource at the Hollings Cancer Center.

Current Research

Dr. Katherine Chetta participates in the NEC biorepository directed by Dr. Misty Good at North Carolina Chapel Hill . Collaborating with the Pediatric Biorepository at MUSC allows for seamless sample collection and storage of collected specimens. Specimens include blood, urine, stool, gastric contents, DNA, breast milk sample, and intestine (if removed) from infants with and without NEC
Dr. Eric Graham, along with his co-investigator Dr. Yar Chowdhury, focus on improving outcomes for children undergoing cardiac operations, perioperative pharmacologic therapies, and elucidating the exposure to hazardous chemicals in the healthcare environment. Collected specimens include blood, urine, and cardiac tissue.
Dr. Ramin Eskandari research interests include pediatric hydrocephalus and brain injuries. Currently Dr. Eskandari is collecting CSF, CNS tissue, blood and connective tissue and currently collaborates with the CombinedBrain consortium.
Dr. Katherine Twombley focuses on antibody mediated rejection (AMR) and its long term effects such as hypertension, donor specific antibody development and chronic kidney disease. Her long-term goals consist of a clinical focus on pediatric kidney transplantation and aims to collect kidney tissue.
Dr.Benjamin Kuhn specializes in allergic gastrointestinal conditions, specifically Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) and is collecting esophageal tissue