The world’s largest university-based biorepository, RUCDR serves academia, biotech, and pharma
PISCATAWAY, N.J.,October 22, 2012 — RUCDR Infinite Biologics recently received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists, a worldwide leader in laboratory quality assurance. The world’s largest university-based biorepository, RUCDR was formed in 1998 as the Rutgers University Cell and DNA Repository, offering a complete and integrated selection of biological sample processing, analysis, and storage services.
Following a recent rigorous on-site inspection, the College accredited RUDCR through its Biorepository Accreditation Program, making the operation at Rutgers one of the first in the world to earn this designation. Started last year, the program is intended to improve and validate the quality of biospecimens and biorepositories. It focuses on standardizing and improving the collection, processing, storage, and distribution of biospecimens, along with computerizing associated information. The program also is intended to ensure the quality of human specimens (e.g., blood, serum, saliva, tissue) and the genetic materials derived from them (e.g., DNA, RNA).
“We’re extremely pleased by this strong validation of our shared commitment to the highest levels of quality and service to the biomedical research community,” said Jay A. Tischfield, founder and Chief Executive Officer of RUCDR, Duncan and Nancy Macmillan Professor of Genetics, and director of the Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey. “There are thousands of biorepositories in the world, with a wide variation in the methods used to collect, process, store, and distribute biomaterials, so the College’s accreditation program is extremely valuable.”
During a day-long inspection, a three-member team appointed by the College of American Pathologists examined every aspect of RUCDR’s operations, such as quality management policies, personnel qualifications and experience, specimen processing and handling, physical facilities, laboratory safety, information technology systems, and biomaterial distribution agreements. The inspectors found no deficiencies in RUCDR’s operations.
RUDCR also recently formed its first strategic alliance with a commercial entity. The alliance with BioStorage Technologies (BST), a global corporation, encompasses all biorepository functions, including sample management consulting, study logistics, collection-kit manufacturing, sample storage, tissue collection, and clinical sample bioprocessing, such as blood fractionation, nucleic-acid extraction, and cell-line establishment. The agreement also covers analytical services, including gene expression, sequencing, and genotyping.
RUCDR has approximately 120 full-time employees. It has added more than 30 staff since 2010 and further hiring is planned. Employees of BST work in the jointly managed operation at Rutgers, which helps BST serve its customers and expand its business on the East Coast.
RUCDR is located in three buildings on Rutgers’ Busch Campus in Piscataway, N.J. The operation will gain an additional 10,000 square feet this fall when a $9.6 million renovation project is completed at the Nelson Biology Laboratories on Allison Road.
About RUCDR Infinite Biologics
Established in 1998, along with a Department of Genetics at Rutgers, RUCDR provides DNA, RNA, and cell lines with clinical data to hundreds of research laboratories globally for studies on mental health and developmental disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, diabetes, and digestive, liver, and kidney diseases. It currently stores more than eight million biosamples from researchers around the world. RUCDR received a $10 million federal grant last year to provide DNA extraction, basic genetic testing, and repository services for more than 46,000 saliva samples, in support of national research efforts to determine the genetic and environmental factors that lead to alcoholism. Rutgers’ Human Genetics Institute of New Jersey recently received a $2.2 million grant for research into the genetics of autism spectrum disorder, led by Linda Brzustowicz, Professor and Chair of Rutgers Department of Genetics. That study will be facilitated by RUCDR. Learn more at www.rucdr.org.
About the College of American Pathologists
The College of American Pathologists, celebrating 50 years as the gold standard in laboratory accreditation, is a medical society serving more than 18,000 physician members and the global laboratory community. It is the world’s largest association composed exclusively of board-certified pathologists and is the worldwide leader in laboratory quality assurance. The College advocates accountable, high-quality, and cost-effective patient care.
About BioStorage Technologies, Inc.
BioStorage Technologies, Inc. is the premier, global provider of comprehensive sample management solutions for the bioscience industry offering flexible onsite, offsite and hybrid sample outsourcing models for the management of research assets. BioStorage Technologies, Inc. is privately held and headquartered in Indianapolis with an additional full-service site near Frankfurt, Germany and a wholly-owned division in Singapore. For more, visit www.biostorage.com or call +1 (866) 697-2675 or +49-6155-898-1011.
Media Contact:
Edward Tate
732-445-3153
[email protected]