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Breakthrough Generations laboratory
The Breakthrough Generations Laboratory at the Breakthrough Research Centre is where the blood samples taken for the Breakthrough Generations Study are processed.
How are blood samples processed in the laboratory?
When blood samples arrive in the laboratory they are spun at high speed (approximately 2000 revolutions per minute) in a machine
called a centrifuge
- When blood samples arrive in the laboratory they are spun at high speed (approximately 2000 revolutions per minute) in a machine called a centrifuge. This separates the blood into its constituent parts: plasma (which contains substances such as hormones), the buffy coat (which is a layer of white blood cells and DNA) and red blood cells
- The plasma and the buffy coat are retained, as these parts will be analysed throughout the study.
Using a semi-automated machine called a MAPI, the samples are mechanically drawn into straws in small volumes of 0.5 millilitres. Approximately 30 straws containing plasma (for hormone analysis) and 6 straws containing the buffy layer (for genetic analysis) are stored for each participant. - The straws are bar-coded to ensure participant confidentiality throughout the study.
The samples are stored in liquid nitrogen for long-term preservation in three different locations to ensure that, in the case of fire or damage to one location, there would always be another store that was safe.
How is the Breakthrough Generations laboratory being used in Breakthrough's research?
The Breakthrough Generations laboratory plays a key role in ensuring that the blood samples are collected and stored effectively for study.
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