Translational Technologies Resource Core (TTRC)

At Marshfield Clinic the Translational Technologies Resource Core (TTRC) encompasses the Marshfield Core Laboratories and the Personalized Medicine Research Project (PMRP).

Marshfield Core Laboratories (MCOR)

Both clinical testing and research laboratory services are available to ICTR members through Marshfield Labs and MCRF’s Core Research Laboratory, respectively. In addition, ICTR members may access the extensive courier service available for sample delivery and receipt at hundreds of sites across Wisconsin.

ICTR members can consult MCOR for:

• Access to laboratory facilities and equipment
• Technical support
• Research protocol development

ICTR Members are eligible for the same reduced research rates as Marshfield Clinic physician and scientist investigators. On investigator-initiated studies, the rate for laboratory services provided by Marshfield Labs is the Medicare rate.

For services provided by MCRF’s Core Research Laboratory, the rate is direct cost plus 25% indirects (a 50% reduction from MCRF’s federally approved indirect cost rate). To inquire about available services and costs for both, please submit a consult request or contact:

Dr. Jennifer Meece., Director of the MCRF Core Laboratory

Marshfield Labs

Marshfield Labs is the clinical laboratory serving the health care providers and patient population at Marshfield Clinic. The laboratory is a joint venture serving both St. Joseph Hospital, a 525 bed trauma I facility, and Marshfield Clinic, a 700 physician primary and sub-specialty clinic system. The 58,000 sq ft laboratory is located in the Melvin R. Laird Center on the Marshfield Campus. Marshfield Labs performs over 2.4 million diagnostic clinical laboratory tests annually. The laboratory is supported by a staff of over 450 and led by physicians and clinical consultants (PhD level scientists). In addition to having state-of-the-art facilities and informatics systems, Marshfield Labs holds accreditation and deemed status from the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), the College of American Pathologists, Joint Commissions for Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and is an OSHA-approved laboratory for blood lead level testing.

A full service veterinary laboratory is located on campus with all the same services as the clinical lab and supported by board certified veterinary pathologists. Acute care laboratory services, anatomic pathology and research study support are all part of the test menu for veterinary services.

Reaching beyond the main campus, Marshfield Labs has a network of over 40 courier routes that cover over 9,000 miles each workday throughout Wisconsin and neighboring states.

Marshfield Labs

MCRF’s Research Core Laboratory is staffed by a team of research scientists and technicians with broad-based expertise who can assist in the design and execution of laboratory-based testing for research projects. Functionally, the 2,800 sq. ft. of workspace is divided into a General Research Section and Genetics Research Section, both of which currently maintain CLIA.

General Research Section

This section maintains proficiency in virology, bacteriology, molecular microbiology, general molecular biology, cell/tissue culture, immunology, protein biochemistry, vector biology, and ecology. The following instrumentation is available:

• Cell culture and analysis: MoFlo flow cytometer and cell sorter, incubators (standard and CO2) and microscopes (inverted and conventional, fluorescent and visible)
• Analytical equipment: Gamma counter, scintillation counters, fluorimeters, spectrophotometers, ELISA readers and electrophoresis
• Imaging: Nikon Eclipse 600 digital image capture and Metamorph software, Gel Dock 2000 electrophoretic imager and Zeiss model 9 electron microscope
• Molecular analyses: DNA sequencing capability with DNAsis and DNAStar software, LightCycler real time PCR, DNA imaging and analysis software and GeneAmp 9700 thermocycler
• Chromatography: Amino acid analyzer, GC, HPLC and LC capabilities
• Biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) containment capabilities
• Various support equipment such as autoclaves, Milli-Ro water systems, vented laminar-flow hoods, fume hoods, refrigerated and high-speed centrifuges, ultra-cold freezers, water baths, shakers, pH meters, and analytical balances

Genetics Research Section

This section provides biobanking, sequencing, and genotyping services.

• The laboratory performs DNA extraction, using the Gentra Autopure system and bio-banking of the resulting samples. The process is fully automated and, following rehydration, samples are stored permanently at -80°C. The laboratory also performs whole-genome amplification, using 15 ng of DNA as starting material and Multiple Displacement Amplification (MDA) technology from Molecular Staging.
• Sequencing is performed using Applied Biosystems Prism 31030xl capillary sequencing units.
• Genotyping is done using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) system, Affymetrix’s whole genome genotyping and copy number analysis, SNP and Short Insertion/Deletion Genotyping, two Roche LightCycler 480 RT-PCR units, and several slab gel units used for STRP genotyping. PMRP samples and aliquots are tracked using the Thermo Fisher Nautilus Biobank software.

Personalized Medicine Research Project

Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation’s (MCRF) Personalized Medicine Research Project (PMRP), which was launched in 2002, is the largest population-based genetic research project in the United States, involving nearly 20,000 central Wisconsin residents. The goal of the PMRP is to translate genetic data into specific knowledge about disease that is clinically relevant and will enhance patient care.

ICTR members can consult PMRP for assistance with:

• Pharmacogenetics research
• Genetic epidemiology

Other resources available to ICTR members include:

• Access to PMRP samples (e.g., DNA, plasma, serum) and established phenotypes and genotypes
• Creation of phenotypes from the Marshfield Clinic electronic medical record and PMRP questionnaire
• Ability to recontact study participants for additional information.

PMRP is led by Catherine McCarty, PhD, MPH. For additional information, including data and tissue access guidelines, please visit the PMRP homepage.