Biospecimen

Our biorepository inventory contains only samples for participants who consented to having samples stored for future unspecified research. Although not required, it is advisable to contact us to discuss research ideas and learn more about the SHOW biorepository data and availability prior to making any biospecimen requests.

Requesting samples:

1. Check the availability of biospecimens in the tables below.
2. Request a consultation with a SHOW scientist to determine which biospecimen can best support your project.
3. The SHOW scientist will review your request and will make recommendations for approval. This process may take up to two weeks.
4. We will notify you if your request receives approval and will arrange sample distribution.
5. For most studies, we will require IRB approval prior to the use of SHOW biospecimen.

Please contact us at researchers@show.wisc.edu if you have any questions.

Sample Types: 

• Serum: stored in 0.5 ml aliquots at -80°C
• Plasma: stored in 0.5 ml aliquots at -80°C
• Urine: stored in 1.5 ml aliquots at -80°C
• DNA: extracted from whole blood, stored at -80°C
• Stool: stored in >0.1g aliquots at -80°C

See our collection and storage protocols for all sample types

Laboratory Test Results

Test results are available for some assays and sample types, please visit our Available Tests page for more information.

Sample Pricing:

Sample Type	Cancer Center Member rate	UW rate	Non-UW rate
Serum (0.5ml)	$12	$14	$16
Plasma (0.5ml)	$13	$15	$17
Urine (1.5ml)	$10	$12	$14
DNA (whole blood) 50 microliter aliquots; 30-500 ng/ul	$23	$25	$27
DNA (stool)	Please inquire	Please inquire	Please inquire
Whole blood RNA	Please inquire	Please inquire	Please inquire
Stool	$23	$25	$27

A cohort sample identification fee of $1500 is applied to all biospecimen requests.

The sample identification fee covers the data team processing required to identify the sample upon which you want biospecimen for. This fee includes the following variables: gender, age, race/ethnicity, household or individual income or poverty-to-income ratio, education level, sampling frame variables (if applicable), up to two geography variables (urbanicity, county, census tract, etc.), and up to four additional health conditions, behaviors, or other survey data needed to identify the sample to pull biospecimen. Any additional variables needed for analyses or research questions will be acquired under a data request and are subject to our data request hourly rate.

Biospecimen handling, shipping, and oversight & project management fees: determined upon consult based on biospecimen request.

The Biospecimen handling covers the time our staff spends pulling the sample, tracking in our Freezerworks software, printing and relabeling samples, completing the manifest form, and preparing samples (often on wet or dry ice) in coolers for hand-off (pick up) or delivery to you or another lab on campus.

The Biospecimen shipping covers materials needed and shipping costs associated with shipping the samples to locations outside of the UW-Madison campus. This covers materials and shipping costs. Any additional staff time used to prepare, and ship samples will be charged under the biospecimen handling fee. If samples are shipped outside of UW-Madison, additional shipping and dry ice fees will apply.

Oversight and Project Management costs include the time spent communicating via email, as well as virtual or in-person meetings with SHOW staff and you (the requestor), as well as the oversight and decision-making regarding the biospecimen request, including the QA/QC checks of the data sample identification, biospecimen pull, and preparation.

Biospecimen Availability:

The SHOW biobank contains a high volume of aliquots of Urine, Plasma, Serum, Stool, and DNA samples for use in research.

The tables in the accordion panels below reflect biospecimen availability and are updated regularly.
If you’d like to ensure a specific sample is available, please request a consultation or contact us by email at researcher@show.wisc.edu.

Collection & Storage Protocols

• Laboratory Manual of Operations
• 1.1 Blood collection
• 1.2 Sample processing Outline
• 1.3 Sample Testing_Storage
• 2.1 DNA Extraction
• 3.1 Clean Catch Urine Collection Procedure
• 4.1 Stool Collection Instructions
• 4.2 Stool Sample Processing_Storage
• 5.1 Hair Sample Collection Instructions

Request a Consultation