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DTMI, DTRI, & DCCC Cores
Up one levelThe Duke Translational Medicine Institute and the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center support a number of cores that give Duke investigators access to technologies, services, and scientific consultation.
| Core Name |
Director/Contact | Description | Core Information | Core Support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biobanking | Michael Hauser, PhD | The DNA bank uses state-of-the-art automation and robotics for the extraction and allocation of DNA. A Laboratory Information Management System is used to sign in and track samples through the collection, moving, storage, and allocation of samples. The system is also used to track and database sample variables such as quantity and quality of samples obtained, time to processing, and alternative DNA sources. Corresponding study, clinical, and auxiliary information is databased. A Study Implementation Group is available to consult with new users to maximize project productivity and success. | Services available at cost. | DTRI |
| Bioinformatics | William Barry, PhD | Collaborates with investigators on projects using genomic data, including transcriptome (microarray, SAGE) data, proteomic data, and sequence data. Consults and collaborates on the statistical design and analysis of cancer projects that include these and other types of genomic data, including linking these data to clinical data. Provides or develops algorithms and computational tools for data manipulation, annotation, and comparison with public data. | Services available at cost. | Cancer Center |
|
Biomedical Informatics |
James Tcheng, MD | The mission of the Biomedical Informatics Core is to provide Duke researchers with the tools and support necessary to accelerate the translation of discoveries into healthcare improvements in our community and around the world. The core consults with researchers to identify available resources, or plan operational strategy for data collection and management. | One-hour free consultation. Additional services available at cost. | DTMI |
| Biostatistics | Stephen George, PhD and Bercedis Peterson, PhD |
Short- and long-range collaboration on statistical design, conduct, and analysis of cancer research projects in the basic and clinical sciences. Activities include assistance in protocol development, statistical analyses and reports, preparation of abstracts and manuscripts for publication, service on the Protocol Review Committee and on the Audit Committee, and other activities in support of investigators. | Services available at cost. | DTMI & Cancer Center |
| Clinical
Biologics Manfacturing and Cell Culture |
Tim Clay, PhD | The Clinical Biologics Manufacturing and Cell Culture (CBM) Shared Resource provides a facility for manufacturing, under cGMP, of cellular, tissue, protein, antibody, nucleic acid, and viral vector modified biologics for testing in early phase clinical trials. | Services available at cost. | Cancer Center |
| Clinical Trials | Jo Ann Proper | Centralized protocol review and PRMS administration, the Clinical Trials Quality Assurance and Education Program, and DCCC monitoring system. | No charge for Cancer Center investigators. | Cancer Center |
| Confocal Microscopy | Sam Johnson, PhD | Facility for obtaining images of a huge range of fluorescently labeled samples. The facility has scanning confocals, spinning disk confocals, widefield fluorescence microscopes, live-cell imaging capabilities, and image analysis workstations. | Fee schedule available here. | Cancer Center |
| DNA Analysis/ Automated DNA Sequencing and Phosphorimaging | Scott Langdon, PhD | Automated DNASequencing Fragment Analysis (GeneScan) Genotyping and
Gene expression applications Phosphorimaging & Fluorescent
scanning Mutation Detection using Denaturing High Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC) Oligonucleotide ordering from IDT |
Services available at cost. | Cancer Center |
| DNA Microarray | Holly Dressman, PhD |
Affymetrix Microarrays Spotted Arrays (Printed Oligonucleotide Microarrays) Real-Time PCR RNA Quality Check with Agilent Bioanalyzer | Services available at cost. | Cancer Center |
| Duke Clinical
Research Unit |
John McHutchison, MD | The DCRU is a 13,000 sq ft facility which accommodates both in-patient and out-patient studies in pediatrics and adults. Services include project management, research coordination, biostatistics, data management, randomization, lab sample collection and processing, subject recruitment, subject reimbursement, and investigational pharmacy services. | Some funding is available for Duke investigators (application and approval is required). | DTMI |
| Duke Image Analysis Lab | Cecil Charles, PhD | Capabilities include protocol development, site training and certification, and image archival and analysis for a variety of modalities including magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, computed tomography and nuclear medicine. | Services available at cost. | DTRI |
| Flow Cytometry | Michael Cook, PhD | Flow cytometric analysis and cell sorting. Investigators prepare cells and bring them to the FCSR for analysis or cell sorting. The FCSR operates two analyzers and four cell sorters. In addition to cell sorting, acquiring, analyzing, archiving, and preparing flow data for publication, the FSCRprovides consultation, technical advice, collaboration, and maintains a library to disseminate technical information to potential users. | Services available at cost. | Cancer Center |
| Genotyping and Sequencing | Simon Gregory, PhD |
The core offers the following services: sample handling, re- and post- genotyping QA/QC, uniplex SNP genotyping, multiplex SNP genotyping, whole genome association SNP genotyping, DNA sequencing, microsatellite genotyping, gene expression, copy number variation, and data storage. | Services available at cost. |
DTRI |
| Good Manufacturing Process Suites | N. Rebecca Haley, MD | We currently have one facility in the Medical Science Research Building that is operational. This suite contains a preparatory lab space and two GMP compliant cell processing labs. We are also in the process of developing a second GMP compliant suite that will be located in North Pavilion. | Facility use charges apply. Investigators provide staff and supplies. | DTRI |
| High Resolution NMR and X-Ray Crystallography | Len Spicer, PhD and Lorena Beese, PhD | Major equipment currently installed in this facility includes two fully equipped X-ray crystallography systems with R-Axis IV and R-Axis II area detectors, focusing mirrors, and liquid nitrogen cooling systems. NMR equipment includes Varian Inova spectrometers operating at 800 MHz, 600 MHz 500 MHz (2), 400 MHz and 300 MHz with heteronuclear multi-channel capabilities. Cryoprobes at 600 and 800 MHz are currently installed. | Services available at cost. |
Cancer Center |
| Immune Monitoring Laboratory | Kent Weinhold, PhD |
The DTRI Immune Monitoring Laboratory is a GCLP-compliant laboratory focuses on assessing subtle effects on the human immune system (immunogenicity, immunocompetence, immune reconstitution, immunotoxicity, and immunopathology) of particular importance in trials of vaccines, cellular therapy, drug therapy, cancer immunotherapy, and auto-immune disorders. The lab currently offers a number of formally validated and/or standardized immunoassays. In addition, the laboratory has the capability to perform assay development, optimization, standardization, and validation. | One-hour free consultation. Additional services available at cost. | DTRI |
| Immunoincompetent
Rodent and Biohazard Facility |
John Norton, DVM. PhD |
The Cancer Center Isolation Facility (CCIF), which houses the Immunoincompetent Rodent and Biohazard Facility, provides Cancer Center investigators with special isolated laboratories for work with hazardous agents and chemicals, certain recombinant DNAprocedures, and for the maintenance of immunosuppressed and specific pathogen-free rodents or for other experiments that require biosafety level 2, 3, and 4 containment needed to investigate cancer biology and treatment. The building has a total of 30,000 square feet which includes eight modules housing three lead-lined rooms, three Horsfall rooms, 23 animal holding rooms, nine laboratories, support areas for mechanical equipment, cage washing equipment and 26 operational autoclaves. | Service available at cost. |
Cancer Center |
| Information Systems |
Bob Annechiarico |
Provides integrated information systems in support of clinical and
basic science biomedical research. Provides infrastructure, personnel,
technical support, assistance and consultation in four areas –
networks, databases, servers, and web applications. |
Services available at cost. |
Cancer Center |
| Metabolomics |
Christopher B. Newgard, PhD |
Technology platform that includes mass spectrometry and nuclear
magnetic resonance-based approaches for comprehensive metabolic
analysis; multiplex assay systems for hormones of energy balance and
cytokines; and physiologic measurements such as resting metabolic rate
and body composition. |
Services available at cost. |
DTRI |
| Optical
Molecular Imaging |
Greg Palmer, PhD |
Provides molecular imaging of gene expression in vivo in real time
at the cellular level. The ability to obtain spatial and functional
information on gene expression at the cellular level, and to follow
gene expression in real time in the same group of animals, will provide
insights not previously possible with classical histopathology
techniques. |
Services available at cost. |
Cancer Center |
Pharmaceutical Research |
Ashley Morris, PharmD and Francis Ali-Osman, MD |
Consists of an Investigational Chemotherapy Service for the purpose of maintaining drug accountability records and investigational drug inventories according to FDA and CTEP guidelines and a Cancer Clinical Pharmacology Laboratory that investigates the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anti- cancer drugs and recombinant proteins used in the experimental therapy of cancer. This resource is also available for analysis of endogenous cytokine concentrations during investigational therapy. The lab provides both consultative and analytic services regarding clinical pharmacokinetic studies of anticancer compounds and recombinant proteins. These include: aid with trial design, optimal sampling techniques, sample handling and stability, quantitative measurement of drug and metabolite concentrations (via HPLC, atomic absorption spectrophotometry, gas chromatography/mass spectrophotometry, or ELISA), calculation of individual and population pharmacokinetic parameters and pharmacometric evaluation via sophisticated computer modeling programs. | Services available at cost. |
Cancer Center |
Proteomics |
Arthur Moseley, PhD |
Proteomics capabilities currently offered: 1) open (unbiased) qualitative and quantitative analyses using high resolution, accurate mass data for high confidence identifications and good quantitative reproducibility; 2) targeted protein quantitation for high sensitivity, high specificity and excellent quantitative reproducibility; 3) characterization of post-translational modifications, including phosphorylation; and 4) multidimensional characterization of gas-phase structures of peptides, intact proteins and protein complexes based on mass, size, shape, and charge. | Fee schedule available here. |
DTRI and Cancer Center |
Radiolabeling |
Michael Zalutsky, PhD |
The Radiolabeling Facility Shared Resource provides Duke Comprehensive Cancer Centerinvestigators with laboratory facilities and expertise for the radiolabeling and quality control of peptides, proteins and other molecules of potential interest to basic research, targeted radiotherapy and molecular imaging. | Services available at cost. |
Cancer Center |
Regulatory |
Bruce Burnett, PhD, RAC |
The Regulatory Affairs team can assess emerging issues and assist with development of solution; identify regulatory risk-benefit; develop strategies for complex issues with potential for significant regulatory compliance impact; anticipate regulatory and related obstacles; guide strategies for program development; interface with regulatory authorities; determine INDexempt status; assist with INDpreparation and submission; assist in scheduling, coordinating, preparing and attending meetings with FDA; assist with regulatory reporting; identify appropriate resources for addressing regulatory issues; facilitate collaborative interactions between investigator and other stakeholders and institutional resources; support for submitting and maintaining an IND. | No charge for Duke investigators. |
DTMI |
Tissue and Blood Procurement |
Rajesh Dash, MD and Alan Proia, MD, PhD |
The Shared Resource is developing a bank of immediately frozen tumor samples, paraffin- embedded samples, and corresponding blood components for use by Duke Comprehensive Cancer Centerinvestigators. Tissue specimens are prepared in a uniform manner, and both neoplastic and non- neoplastic samples are prepared from each subject, when possible. Clinical and pathological data are abstracted into a searchable database, which also contains photomicrographic images of the tissue specimens when possible. | Services available at cost. |
Cancer Center |
Transgenic and Knockout Mouse |
Cheryl Bock |
The Transgenic Mouse Facility, a shared resource of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides services for the production of designer mutations in mice. The facility specializes in microinjection of foreign DNAinto fertilized mouse embryos, as well as skills successful gene targeting experiments using pluripotent embryonic mouse stem cells. | Fee schedule available here. |
Cancer Center |