Biobanking
The acquisition and storage of different biomaterials from patients and the recruitment of participants for different scientific studies are important prerequisites for scientific projects. Here in Kiel, different biobanks have joined forces and formed the P2N network. In P2N, the IKMB biobank, the biobank popgen (Institute of Epidemiology) and the Healthcare-embedded Biobank (UKSH, Clinical Chemistry together with IKMB) work together in a highly cooperative manner, sharing resources for sample processing, sample preparation and storage systems. Therefore, the IKMB also complies with the P2N standards for managing, processing, and storing biomaterials.
Sample Processing (DNA Laboratory)
Since its start in 2001, the IKMB DNA platform is a state-of-the-art laboratory that prepares DNA and RNA samples for high-throughput analyses (e.g. genotyping or sequencing) using lab robotics that are operated by skilled technicians. The high degree of automation ensures maximum accuracy, reproducible results, and a continuously high quality. The platform is the primary entry lab for new samples that arrive at the IKMB. About 50 blood samples from new patients arrive every week for further processing. Using robotics, DNA and/or RNA from more than 300 blood samples can be prepared in one week with volumes ranging from less than 1 ml up to 8 ml. In addition to blood and different blood components (e.g. “buffy coats”, i.e. leukocyte concentrate of blood after gradient centrifugation), saliva samples are also processed regularly.
The DNA laboratory platform also offers the preparation of the isolated samples for further analysis in one of our other platforms (e. g. Next Generation Sequencing, Genotyping).
Overview Lab Robotics
- Tecan Freedom Evo®
- Agilent Bravo™
- QIAcube system: two QIAcube Connect, QIAcube Classic& QIAcube Connect MDx, one each
- Fully or semi-automated isolation with instrument by revvity (formery PerkinElmer): chemagic™ Prime™8, two chemagic™360
Storage Systems
The IKMB samples as well as samples from the PopGen biobank are processed and stored in the IKMB’s central sample repository that is in the basement of the ZMB. To this end, the storage contains 4× 4°C fridges, 16× -20°C and 17× -80°C freezers. Our automated samples storages have a capacity of ~1 million tubes for -20°C and 1.1 million tubes for -80°C. The lab also contains 3× walk-in sample storages: 4°C and -20°C for DNA working samples (with a capacity of 10 freezers) and a -80°C storage for up to 1 million blood/serum samples. Our sample repository currently contains about 500.000 DNA samples.
Contact
Our lab welcomes external collaboration partners and provides the necessary infrastructure to exchange samples and associated data.
We offer a regular platform meeting (online via MicrosoftTeams):
Bi-weekly Wednesdays at 08:25 AM (odd weeks only) for DNA laboratory, Genotyping, Microbiome laboratory, “Next-Generation” Sequencing and Sanger.
The meeting is open for collaborators who want to discuss or prioritize their ongoing projects at the IKMB.
If you have any questions or if you are interested in any kind of cooperation please contact
Rebekka Kraemer or one of the other platform leaders, respectively.
