Research

Core D


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Cell, Blood & DNA

The overall goal of the proposed project is to effectively manage the collection, processing, storage and distribution of biological materials collected and derived from centenarians and control subjects participating in the program project study. Centralization of blood sample processing, storage and distribution by this core laboratory will permit standardization of sample handling procedures, coordination of sample distribution and control of sample inventories. These activities will help maximize the scientific benefit obtained from the limited amounts of materials available from this unique study population.

Several projects may utilize different blood components from a single tube of blood if processed properly, e.g., leukocytes for genetics and plasma for blood chemistry. In addition, processing blood samples for specific project needs will generate by-products that can be preserved and used for additional future studies, e.g., red blood cells for isozome and mitochondrial DNA analyses. This type of efficiency could not be easily achieved if blood samples were processed by individual project investigators. The laboratory will also establish lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from peripheral blood specimens; maintain, expand, and preserve cell lines; and harvest cells for DNA purification. LCLs will be cryopreserved in liquid N2 and recovered as needed to provide a renewable supply of DNA, RNA, and proteins. In most cases, the short life expectancy of the centenarian study population will preclude re-sampling of study members beyond one or two years after the first sample is collected. The renewable supply of DNA from LCLs can be used for follow-up studies of informative genotypes and for typing new candidate genes that may become of interest during the proposed studies or in future studies related to the present investigations. Since LCLs remain viable for many years if properly stored, these cells can also be used as living models for in vitro studies of cellular processes, a feature not available with tissue and blood samples no matter how large.

Core D Investigators:

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Dorothy Hausman, Ph.D.
Core Leader
University of Georgia




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Mary Ann Johnson, Ph.D.
Co-Core Leader
University of Georgia


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