BRIDGE Laboratory

The Biobank Resource for Investigating Disease, Genes, and Environment (BRIDGE) is a state-of-the-art laboratory that provides sample processing, storage, and data infrastructure services to support the development and maintenance of biobanks across CUIMC.

BRIDGE provides laboratory services to the Columbia University Biobank, CUIMC’s effort to include all interested and consenting participants in our research programs, as well as to investigator-initiated studies that require bespoke services. Examples of à la carte services are shown below, but in most cases, BRIDGE can also partner with other cores to provide an all-in-one biobanking service if desired. All researchers at CUIMC can utilize BRIDGE services; please contact us for more information or to set up an introductory meeting.

Services

Laboratory Processing

BRIDGE has developed automatic workflows to support CUB as well as custom workflows for specialized repositories. These include:

• Automated blood, serum, and plasma processing using the Hamilton EasyBlood
• DNA/RNA extraction
• PBMC isolation
• CSF processing
• Bone marrow processing
• Urine processing
• Custom processing

For more information on sample requirements, current protocols, and pricing, please visit the BRIDGE Gateway on Sharepoint.

Sample Storage

BRIDGE employs freezers with multiple redundancies and 24/7 monitoring to ensure sample integrity. These include an automated Azenta Biostore -80 freezer system featuring robotics for true random access to any stored sample on command, multiple chiller redundancies, and emergency power and LN2 backup for continued cooling during power loss. Multiple LN2 freezers are also maintained and off-site storage can be accommodated if needed. Services:

• -80 storage in the automated Biostore (samples must be stored in approved consumables)
• LN2 cryogenic storage
• Off-site storage in traditional -80 and LN2 units

Samples stored in BRIDGE are returned to investigator laboratories or distributed to other core facilities upon request by the PI to facilitate downstream analysis and processing.
Consumable information and storage pricing can be found in the BRIDGE Gateway on Sharepoint.

Data Support: OpenSpecimen

The BRIDGE IT team manages CUIMC’s license and local support for OpenSpecimen, the campus-wide Sample Management System for our biobanks. OpenSpecimen is the system of record for sample descriptions and locations, and manages retrieval requests for aliquots stored in BRIDGE. OpenSpecimen supports CUB, the Microbiome core, DLDRC Virtual Biobank, Department of Neurology HGRC Lab, and multiple other biobank collections. Features of OpenSpecimen include:

• Ability to link samples to EHR data (via the VP&S REDCap)
• Standardization of fields between CU biobanks to facilitate sample sharing between studies (when desired and appropriate)
• “Off-the-shelf” implementations
• Custom field development

To learn more about implementing OpenSpecimen for your studies, please visit the OS Sharepoint site.

External Users

Processing and storage services may be available to external (non-Columbia) users. Please contact us for more information.