WHI Biospecimens
The WHI maintains a large repository of biological specimens available to investigators with approved and funded ancillary studies. The repository is located in Rockville, MD and maintained by Fisher Bioservices.
What’s Available
Baseline through Year 9 samples were collected at the WHI Clinical Centers. Urine was collected from bone mineral density (BMD) participants only at the Universities of Alabama, Arizona, and Pittsburgh (bone density clinicals). Long Life Study (LLS) samples were obtained in the participant’s home, between March 2012 and May 2013 (~Year 14 – 20).
Investigators should use the WHI Query Builder to check if there are enough participants with a given specimen for their proposed ancillary study. Studies are limited in the volume of samples they can request.
Additional information about collection, timing, processing (e.g., extraction and quantitation methods), shipment, and quality control are described in the WHI manual and in the Long Life Study: Synopsis of Blood Protocol.
Serum, EDTA Plasma, Citrate Plasma
Volume limit: 0.25 milliliters
| Time point | Study population |
|---|---|
| Baseline | All CT, OS |
| Year 1 | All CT |
| Year 3 | All OS, 6% CT subsample |
| Year 6 | 6% CT subsample |
| Year 9 | 6% CT subsample |
| ~ Year 14 – 20 | Long Life Study participants (serum, EDTA plasma only) |
Red Blood Cells (RBCs), DNA via buffy coat
When requested, DNA is extracted from the stored buffy coat. An aliquot is made for the testing lab and the remaining sample is returned to the WHI repository.
DNA has been extracted using different methods over time.
| Extraction period | Method |
|---|---|
| 2000 – 2003 | Qiagen Puregene / Bioserve |
| 2004 – 2005 | Salt-precipitation |
| 2005 – 2008 | Phenol Chloroform |
| 2008 – Present | Qiagen / Five Prime |
The current “Five Prime” extraction method was developed at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Seattle, WA) using Qiagen reagents in a method designed to maximize both quality and yield. An ancillary study may receive samples extracted by different methods or freshly extracted DNA. The DNA is extracted “as needed”, thus the extraction date does not correlate with the date of the blood draw. Long Life Study DNA was extracted using the Five Prime method.
Volume limit: 0.25 milliliters (RBCs), 1-2 micrograms (DNA)
| Time point | Study population |
|---|---|
| Baseline | All CT, OS |
| Year 1 | All CT |
| Year 3 | All OS |
| ~Year 14 – 20 | Long Life Study participants |
Urine
Volume limit: 0.5 milliliters
| Time point | Study population Collected at Bone Mineral Density (BMD) sites only |
|---|---|
| Baseline | CT, OS |
| Year 1 | CT |
| Year 3 | CT, OS |
| Year 6 | CT, 25% of OS |
| Year 9 | CT, 25% of OS |
RNA
For the Long Life Study visit, RNA/miRNA was extracted from a PAXgene tube within ~1 month of collection. The concentration of RNA was determined by NanoDrop.
Volume limit: 0.5 micrograms
| Time point | Study population |
|---|---|
| ~Year 14 – 20 | Long Life Study participants |
Obtaining Access
Biospecimen samples are available to principal investigators with an approved and funded ancillary study. The steps from a funded study to specimen results with linkage to WHI survey data are depicted in the flowchart.
CCC = Clinical Coordinating Center; SPL = Specimen Processing Labs
