About the LABS Core

The Laboratory and Biorepository Research Services (LABS) Core is an institutional core housed within the BMC Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Its mission is to provide high-quality research services to members of the BMC and BU research community in order to support innovative and impactful science. 

Core Director: Elizabeth Duffy, MA
Program Manager: Lizzy Ragan, MPH

The LABS Core has three primary service pillars:

  1. COVID-19 Biorepository - Access to prospectively collected and clinical remnant samples from COVID-19 patients.
  2. Clinical Remnant Sample Services - Investigator-initiated access to clinical remnant samples, including tissue and slides (i.e., leftover sample initially collected for clinical purpose) 
  3. Biorepository Services - Sample processing services (e.g., PBMC isolation, plasma), storage, and shipping

The LABS Core serves to provide a central, standardized process for receiving, processing, and fulfilling research service requests. BMC serves a highly diverse patient population, including >70% identifying as African American, Hispanic, or Latinx and nearly 76% coming from underserved populations such as low-income or elderly. Samples and services provided by LABS can therefore support and elevate research that addresses health disparities, risk factors, and outcomes that disproportionately impact our patient populations.

Our services are designed to be cost-effective (as a cost-neutral core, all services we provide are designed to be “at-cost”) and able to elevate your research. For instance, leveraging clinical remnant samples for your ongoing study may allow you to reduce number of study visits or burden on study participants. Leveraging our sample processing services can remove the need to hire on laboratory staff and cover costs associated with accessing a laboratory. 

Launched in 2021, the LABS Core now serves as the umbrella over these formerly independent services: