OBJECTIVE:

The overall goal of the Pepper Center Integrated Aging Studies Databank and Registry (IASDR) is to guarantee the proper collection, transfer, and central storage of biological tissue (e.g., blood, skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, cartilage and DNA) to be used for conducting future ancillary studies by investigators with an interest in aging-related research.

SPECIMEN INVENTORY:

As of August 2020 the Registry holds >184,273 total stored cryosamples (blood >169,342, urine >7,562, DNA >5,290, and tissue> 2,115) collected from >8,000 research participants enrolled in 65 different studies (ongoing and completed). The table provided lists the available samples and a brief description of the participants from each of the studies.
All samples are collected from study participants enrolled in research protocols at Wake Forest University, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, or other collaborating institutions. Written informed consent is obtained from each participant providing permission to have their samples stored for future, undesignated research. All samples are stored in labeled cryovials in -80oC freezers located in a locked room on the M floor of the Nutrition Research Building at WFUHS. The freezers are connected to an emergency power supply and a CO2 back-up system.

REQUISITION OF SAMPLES:

• Only investigators (both within and outside WFUHS) with IRB-approved ancillary study proposals will be provided samples from the Registry for analyses
• All samples are identified by a unique ID which is linked to personal identifiers and other study-related data that are maintained only by the individual study’s Principal Investigator. Thus, investigators who wish to utilize samples for ancillary research will need to involve and collaborate with the PI and investigators of the original study
• Samples will be released to investigators de-identified (as defined by the HIPAA Privacy Rule) to protect the privacy and confidentiality of study subjects

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Contact the Databank & Registry Coordinator at (336) 713-7126 or PepperCenter@WakeHealth.edu for additional information.