The Cancer Genome Atlas
The Biospecimen Core Resource (BCR) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital served as the centralized tissue processing and clinical data collection center for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) from 2009-2015. TCGA, a coordinated effort supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), worked to accelerate the comprehensive understanding of cancer genetics using innovative genome analysis technologies. As the primary interface between the TCGA program office and the tissue source sites, the BCR coordinated sample shipments and data collection with institutions from around the world.
The BCR served as the liaison between tissue source sites and the molecular characterization, sequencing, and data analysis centers. After ensuring human subject protection, all patient specimens were rigorously checked for quality and processed using standard operating procedures. After specimens qualified by pathology and molecular metrics, molecular analytes were distributed to TCGA characterization, sequencing, and proteomics centers. Clinical data were collected and reviewed using clinical data validations prior to being uploaded to the Data Coordinating Center (DCC).