Biological Specimen Collection for Laboratory Methods Development and Training Purposes

Overview

This study will collect biological samples-buccal cells, blood sample, skin sample-to be used in developing and testing laboratory methods for measuring and analyzing genes. Such methods can be used for research on identifying genetic factors that may affect a person's cancer risk. All individuals age 21 and older may participate in this study. Participants will provide one or more of the following samples: * Buccal (mouth) cells - obtained by swishing a small amount of mouthwash in the mouth or by swabbing or bushing the inside of the cheek with a swab or brush. * Blood - obtained by pricking the finger and collecting the drops or by blood drawing through a needle placed in an arm vein. * Skin - obtained by a punch biopsy on the inner upper arm. For this procedure, the skin is anesthetized and a small piece of skin is removed with a sharp instrument similar to a cookie cutter. The wound is then covered and held together with a sterile bandage. A small scar, approximately 1/8-inch long, will be left. Most participants will be asked to provide only a buccal sample; blood and/or skin samples will be requested from a few participants. The blood and skin samples may be used to grow cell lines; that is, to make them grow indefinitely for research uses.

We propose two related activities that involve the collection of biological samples. The first involves the collection of mouthwash samples from 200 volunteers, to assess the feasibility of pooling samples for quantitative genotype determinations. For a small number of volunteers, we will also collect a peripheral blood sample and a skin punch biopsy for establishment of lymphoblastoid and fibroblast cell lines. The blood and skin samples will be used to compare the amount and subcellular localization of DNA repair proteins between lymphocytes (cells most commonly collected in epidemiologic studies) and fibroblasts (the cell types commonly used in assay development). In addition, we will conduct hands-on education and training sessions in molecular genetics for members of DCEG and others. The hands-on education sessions will be aimed at non-laboratory scientists and involve 6-9 hours of demonstration and participation in basic molecular genetics techniques. Participants will have the option of collecting their own mouthwash sample, extracting the DNA, and performing a genotyping assay on their sample in the Laboratory of Population Genetics in Building 41. After the education session, the biological samples will be reassigned arbitrary numbers not linked to personally identifying information and will be used for laboratory methods development only.