Survey and Biospecimen Shared Resource
Overview
The Survey and Biospecimen Shared Resource provides Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center investigators with integrated survey research, biospecimen collection, laboratory, and study implementation services. The resource supports the design and conduct of studies involving participant-reported information and biological samples, offering expertise in survey development, specimen collection and processing, laboratory testing, and study operations. Staff work with investigators to implement rigorous and consistent research practices that promote data quality and efficient study execution. By bringing together these complementary capabilities within a single resource, the Survey and Biospecimen Shared Resource supports the collection of high-quality data and biospecimens across diverse research settings.
Directors
Qiuyin Cai, MD, PhD
Scientific Co-Director
Martha Shrubsole, PhD
Scientific Co-Director
Services
Survey Services
- Study design, proposal development, and study implementation
- Survey methodology education
- Development of questionnaires and protocols
- IRB documentation
- Study mailings and tracing
- Participant enrollment
- Interviewer- and self-administered surveys
- Biological sample collection
- Medical record review
Biospecimen Services
- Study design, implementation, collection, and analysis consultation
- Sample collection support (blood, urine, mouthwash, saliva, stool, wristband, tissue)
- Long-term storage of biospecimens
- DNA and RNA extraction from buffy coat, clot, FFPE and frozen tissue, mouthwash, and stool samples
- Genotyping for low-quality DNA
- Biomarker analysis of plasma, serum, and urine
Contact Information
For further information about survey services, please contact John White at (615) 936-2662 or by email.
For further information about wet lab services, please email Regina Courtney