In order to advance Idaho’s capacity in biomedical research, Boise State University is creating the Tissue Collection and Storage Core. This centralized space located in Capitol Village will enable investigators to store bacterial, animal, plant, and human cell-line stock cultures, genetic constructs, natural isolates, highly purified proteins and sample-specific information to further their research.
The reliability of molecular data derived from analysis platforms such as mass spectrometry, DNA Sequencing, and quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) arrays (used for gene expression analysis) is dependent on the quality and consistency of the biospecimens available for analysis.
“Improving the quality of biomedical research and infrastructure for Idaho is an essential step to better understanding and battling diseases that impact us all,” said Harold Blackman, Boise State interim vice president for research and economic development. “As an intrinsically innovative and collaborative university, we are proud to be pushing science forward for the betterment of the region and the world.”
Funding for the necessary lab improvements and equipment acquisitions is provided by the National Institutes of Health IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Program. By creating the Tissue Collection and Storage Core, Boise State will improve Idaho’s capacity in biomedical research and to support work within the INBRE-4 scientific theme of cell signaling. Cell signaling is a branch of research that studies the cell to cell communication in tissues.
In the core, samples will be catalogued and maintained, and information will be shared with the Instructional Design and Educational Assessment (IDeA) community through participation at statewide, regional, and national meetings, and through publication on the websites of Idaho INBRE and the Boise State University Biomolecular Research Center (part of the INBRE Bioinformatics Core Facility).
The Tissue and Collection Storage Center will have a significant positive impact on biomedical research quality and capacity in the state. It will also bolster research across campus, including research conducted in the Biomolecular Research Center, and current studies such as mesenchymal stem cell research, blood brain barrier investigations, and much more.
For any questions, please email the Office of Research Compliance at orc@boisestate.edu.