Biomarker Repository Facility
Biomarker Repository Facility
The MRC Epidemiology Bioresource is a collaboration between the NIHR Cambridge BRC, the MRC Epidemiology Unit and the University of Cambridge, which provides smart storage, processing, retrieval and re-arraying of samples prior to high throughput measurement. (www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/biorep)
Senior Laboratories Manager: Vasileios Kaimakis.
Vasileios has experience in SNP genotyping, DNA Extraction using the Tecan-Promega platform, and qPCR and Biomarker measurements (ELISA) using the MesoScale Discovery platform. He is experienced in programming and operating liquid handling robots such as the Hamilton Vantage.
Biorepository Manager: Natalia Piaszczyk.
Prior to joining the Unit in 2023, Natalia worked as the CNSLab Laboratory Supervisor at Cambridge Nutritional Sciences, which involved working on the food intolerance microarray test, ELISA testing for the adrenal hormones level and hs-CRP protein. Also performing testing to check the level of VitD, DOA, Candida, Celiac. This was mostly working with unscreened biological samples (blood, saliva), in Lab cat2.
Sample processing
(manual & automated)
- Hamilton Vantage (DNA samples)
- Tecan Evo (DNA extraction)
- Hamilton Star (non-DNA samples)
- Tecan Fluent (back-up)
- Promega Maxwell (small vol. DNA extraction)
Short term storage
- Conventional -20°C & -80°C freezers
- SPT Compound (automated +4°C – DNA samples)
Long term storage
- Conventional -80°C freezers (x50+)
- SPT Arktic (2 automated -80°C – internal studies)
- Liquid nitrogen tanks (x7)
- -20°C cold room
- Nordic cabinet
- Both Addenbrooke’s and Cambridge Research Park facilities operate under HTA licences (CUH and UoC)