Clinical Interface

 

    The Clinical Interface module of the Ophthalmology Core Services provides isolation and temporary storage of cell pellets from human biological samples, including whole blood, mouthwash and buccal swabs.  This service also offers the isolation and purification of high quality, high molecular weight, genomic DNA from these samples.

 

 

CONTACT INFORMATION:

         Location:

Dr. Janey Wigg's Laboratory
7th Floor Connecting Building
Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary
243 Charles Street
Boston, MA 02114
 

       Contacts:

Director:  Dr. Janey Wiggs
email: Janey_Wiggs@meei.harvard.edu
tel: 617-573-6447
 
Research Technologists: Kevin Linkroum
email: Kevin Linkroum@meei.harvard.edu
tel: 617-573-6447

       

SUBMITTING SAMPLES:

Samples can be submitted on any weekday.  Please bring samples to the lab before 3:00 p.m. to allow enough time for the technologists to process your sample.

STUDY SET-UP:

Prior to bringing samples to the lab for processing for the first time, please contact Dr. Wiggs to discuss details of the type of processing required for your samples (cell pellet preparation or DNA extraction or both).  Module personnel can assist in the development of special protocols required for your study and this should be discussed with Dr. Wiggs prior to the initiation of sample collection.  Module personnel can also assist with the collection of samples from patients located a distance from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.  Please discuss these plans with Dr. Wiggs prior to collection.

BLOOD COLLECTION:

Whole blood is to be collected via venipuncture into lavender-topped venous blood collection tubes (for example Becton-Dickenson cat# 364300 or 366643).  These tubes contain K2 EDTA as a preservative.  All tubes of blood must be clearly labeled with a date and either a patient name, study identifier, or both.

MOUTHWASH COLLECTION (swish and spit):

Mouthwash collection kits can be obtained from the module personnel with instructions for sample collection.

BUCCAL SWAB COLLECTION:

Cytobrushes for cheek swabbing can be obtained from the module personnel with instructions for sample collection.  For buccal swab samples DNA is prepared directly rather than from an isolated cell pellet.  If cell pellets are desired please contact Dr. Wiggs.

LOCATION TO BRING SAMPLES:

All samples should be brought to Dr. Wiggs’ laboratory located on the 7th floor of the connecting building of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA.  The 7th floor of the connecting building is not accessible from the 7th floor of the main Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.  To access the connecting building, exit the front set of MEEI elevators at the 5th floor and follow the main hallway, down a couple of steps, into the connecting building.  Go through the set of closed doors and take the elevator or stairwell at the end of this hallway up to the 7th floor.   There is direct access to the connecting building elevator located on Fruit Street midway between the MEEI main lobby and MGH.

Blood samples must be transported to the lab in an approved biohazard container.  If the sample is transported from outside the hospital it must be packaged according to IATA instructions for the shipment of diagnostic samples.  In brief, samples must be contained within a watertight primary container (the blood tube) which is within a watertight secondary container filled with enough absorbent material to absorb the entire contents of the blood tubes. This secondary container must then be housed in a third outer container of adequate strength for its capacity.

COLLECTION OF BLOOD SAMPLES DRAWN AT THE MEEI 8TH FLOOR CLINICAL LABS:

If you anticipate frequent use of the phlebotomy services at the MEEI clinical lab (8th floor) for a large number of samples for your project, you can arrange to keep a collection box for your samples in the clinical lab and members of our lab will pick up these samples for you on a daily basis.  The placement of this box must be arranged with the head of the clinical lab in advance.  If you want to utilize this service please make sure that the box is clearly labeled with the name of the principal investigator of the study and that you have notified members of our lab.  For bloods collected on a sporadic basis, we advise that you arrange to bring the samples to our lab yourself since lab members of the clinical lab may not be familiar with what to do with your samples.

RETRIEVING SAMPLES:

The Clinical Interface lab has space for only temporary storage of samples from each user lab.  Arrangements must be made to retrieve your samples frequently.  Nuclear pellets will be stored in a specified labeled box on a designated shelf of a -80°C freezer.  Each investigator's samples will be stored in a separate box.  To retrieve samples bring a container filled with dry ice and transfer your samples out of the designated box and return the empty box to the shelf.

DNA samples will also be temporarily stored in a box designated for each investigator.

 

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