RESEARCH VAI awarded $7.9 million to continue role as Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank Biorepository Van Andel Institute’s Biorepository was awarded a $7.9 million, five-year contract from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part <strong>of</strong> the National Institutes <strong>of</strong> Health, to continue serving as the biorepository for the Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank study. The Institute has served as the Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank Biorepository since 2020, when it was awarded a two-year subcontract to develop the framework and protocols for this part <strong>of</strong> the initiative. In its role, VAI assembles and distributes kits to hospitals and medical centers around the U.S. for the collection <strong>of</strong> tumor tissue, blood and other biospecimens. These samples are then shipped to VAI for processing and either stored for later study or sent to other organizations for analysis. In all, the Biobank study is expected to collect biospecimens from more than 1,000 participants. These vital samples will help illuminate new insights into cancers <strong>of</strong> the blood, lungs, skin, prostate and gastrointestinal tract. “Biospecimens are foundational for discovery. They allow us to study cancers in deep detail and are crucial for the development <strong>of</strong> new prevention, diagnostic and treatment strategies,” said Dr. Scott Jewell, director <strong>of</strong> VAI’s Pathology and Biorepository Core. “We are honored to be a part <strong>of</strong> the Cancer Moonshot Biobank study and look forward to contributing to a greater understanding <strong>of</strong> cancer.” The Cancer Moonshot SM Biobank aims to accelerate cancer research through the collection <strong>of</strong> longitudinal blood and tissue biospecimens from cancer patients representing U.S. population diversity. The biospecimens, generally small biopsies, and accompanying medical data will be made available for cancer research. Evidence-based, well-documented, and consistent procedures will be used to collect specimens <strong>of</strong> known quality. VAI’s Biorepository also provides services for many large-scale national and international projects that fuel research into diseases such as cancer and Parkinson’s at VAI and beyond. The project is wholly funded with federal funds from the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes <strong>of</strong> Health, Department <strong>of</strong> Health and Human Services under Contract No. 75N91022D0008. The content <strong>of</strong> this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies <strong>of</strong> the Department <strong>of</strong> Health and Human Services, nor does mention <strong>of</strong> trade names, commercial products or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. government. What are biospecimens? Biospecimens are biological samples that are donated for research. They include healthy or diseased tissues, blood, saliva, spinal fluid and other materials. Biospecimens allow scientists to investigate how our bodies work when they’re healthy, how they change when affected by disease, and how we can better predict, prevent, diagnose and treat conditions such as cancer and Parkinson’s. What is a biorepository? Biorepositories are storehouses for biological samples. These specialized facilities, and the dedicated scientists who staff them, are responsible for processing, cataloging and storing samples with the utmost care and consistency. 8 | VAN ANDEL INSTITUTE HIGHLIGHTS OF HOPE
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