| Name of Biobank |
Veterans Affairs (VA) Genomic Medicine Program Core Laboratory |
| Year Initiated |
2000 |
| Primary objective (one sentence) |
To provide standardize central storage for biospecimens for the Cooperative Studies Program of VA Research and Development.
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| Key components (please briefly address the following): |
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| Time frame |
Ongoing |
| Sample size (current and anticipated) and characteristics (age, gender) |
Specimens from over 30,000 subjects |
| Recruitment area, method of recruitment/follow-up, sample representativeness |
VA Healthcare System |
| Types of data/specimens collected (questionnaire, physical exam) |
The majority of aliquots are derived from blood. Plasma, extracted DNA and buffy coat are stored in nitrogen freezers. Urine specimens are collected for some protocols. Small numbers of other tissues are also stored at the facility. Both case report form data and data derived from the electronic medical record are part of the data bases for the specimen collection protocols. |
| Data collection, storage, processing systems |
Nearly all data are captured using innovative electronic systems that are cost-efficient, reduce scope for transcription errors, allow direct coding and validation of responses and support monitoring of clinic activities for quality control. |
| Method of consent, reporting of results |
Case report from data are collected in person, by phone or by mail. Specimens are generally shipped by overnight express mail. Processing depends on the requirements of specific protocols. |
| Health outcomes of interest |
Wide variety of chronic conditions |
| Funding Sources |
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