Investigator Request Policy

WHRI Skidmore-Goodman Research Wet Laboratory Investigator Request Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to outline the procedures and resources of the Women’s Health Research Institute (WHRI) Skidmore Goodman Research Wet Laboratory for contracted experimental work requested by WHRI clinical researchers whose primary location is the C&W Hospital campus. This policy complies with the UBC Research Safety Policies. The goal of this laboratory initiative is to serve WHRI clinical researchers that do not have access to a wet laboratory to produce basic science preliminary data related to women’s and maternal health.

Applicability

This policy applies to WHRI investigators located at C&W Hospital that seek access to the Research Wet Laboratory resources, and have been approved to conduct research within the laboratory space. Laboratory work will be performed by the WHRI Wet Laboratory staff only, and will require a consultation to provide an overview of the individual study objectives. Contracted work must be less than 6 months long. Additional projects will require a new project inquiry, subject to approval. Projects requiring extended time may be granted in extenuating circumstances. Research Ethics Board approval must be obtained by the investigator(s). Biosafety requirements of the projects will be maintained under the WHRI Wet Laboratory’s current biosafety certificate requirements.

Services offered

  • Temporary cold storage of samples for processing and analysis
  • Access to the following equipment:
    • Bench space for sample processing + molecular biology work
    • Step-OnePlus Real-time PCR
    • Thermocycler (PCR)
    • Multimode Plate Reader
    • NanoDrop One Spectrophotometer
    • ChemiDoc Imaging System
    • Nikon Eclipse Ni-E Microscope (brightfield and confocal) with NIS-Elements Advanced Research software
    • Tissue culture room: biosafety cabinet (type II, type A2), liquid nitrogen storage

Services not offered

Virology researchTissue banking
Radioactive researchRecruitment of participants
Animal breeding/researchPhlebotomy

Procedure to apply for experimental work

  1. The investigator(s) will submit an inquiry to the WHRI Wet Laboratory Website and/or WHRIWetLab@cw.bc.ca for access to the WHRI Research Wet Laboratory. This inquiry must outline the project proposal and equipment required. The request will be reviewed within approximately 14 business days. WHRI Wet Laboratory staff will hold an initial meeting with the researchers to clarify the needs of the project, any associated costs and the timeline of the project. After the initial meeting, the WHRI Wet Laboratory will provide an estimated quote. Note: Projects must be planned such that they are completed in 6 months or less.
  2. Materials may be purchased by the WHRI Research Wet Laboratory, which will be included in the quote provided to the investigator(s). Alternatively, investigator(s) may choose to provide their own materials, subject to approval by the WHRI Wet Laboratory staff.
  3. All laboratory and experimental work will be conducted by the WHRI Wet Laboratory staff. External laboratory staff may not be permitted to perform experimental according to the WHRI’s current biosafety certificate requirements.
  4. WHRI Wet Laboratory staff will be available for consultation throughout the duration of the project. The investigator(s) may request assistance with general protocol optimization and data analysis.
  5. All contracted experiment work conducted within the WHRI Wet Laboratory will be documented in a shared, secure electronic notebook via Microsoft OneDrive. This documentation will include experimental procedures, observations, raw data, and any deviations from the original protocol.
  6. At the conclusion of the project, the investigator(s) must provide a summary report to the WHRI Wet Laboratory, outlining the significant findings and observations from the research, including subsequent publication and future directions. This report will contribute to the ongoing knowledge base of the WHRI laboratory and may be used for stakeholder engagement.

Freezer storage policy

  1. The WHRI Wet Laboratory does not offer biobanking services for extended sample storage. All stored samples must be relevant to the investigators’ specific projects. 
  2. All experimental samples stored at the WHRI Wet Laboratory will be properly labeled and documented in inventory. The investigator must retrieve their samples within 4 weeks post project completion, after which the WHRI Wet Laboratory may dispose of any remaining samples in accordance with established biosafety protocols.
  3. Investigators may request for extended temporary storage in extenuating circumstances, subject to approval.