title: Collection and processing of whole blood for transformation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and extraction of DNA: the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  and
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To yield large amounts of DNA for many genotype analyses and to provide a renewable source of DNA, the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC) harvested DNA and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from individuals with type 1 diabetes and their family members in several regions of the world.
  
  
  METHODS
  DNA repositories were established in Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and the United Kingdom. To address region-specific needs, different methods and sample processing techniques were used among the laboratories to extract and to quantify DNA and to establish Epstein-Barr virus transformed cell lines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than 98% of the samples of PBMCs were successfully transformed. Approximately 20-25 microg of DNA were extracted per mL of whole blood. Extraction of DNA from the cell pack ranged from 92 to 165 microg per cell pack. In addition, the extracted DNA from whole blood or transformed cells was successfully utilized in each regional human leukocyte antigen genotyping laboratory and by several additional laboratories performing consortium-wide genotyping projects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the isolation of PBMCs was consistent among sites, the measurement of DNA was difficult to harmonize.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DNA repositories can be established in different regions of the world and produce similar amounts of high-quality DNA for a variety of high-throughput genotyping techniques. Furthermore, even with the distances and time necessary for transportation, highly efficient transformation of PBMCs is possible. For future studies/trials involving several laboratories in different locations, the T1DGC experience includes examples of protocols that may be applicable. In summary, T1DGC has developed protocols that would be of interest to any scientific organization attempting to overcome the logistical problems associated with studies/trials spanning multiple research facilities, located in different regions of the world.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rosinger
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nutland
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mickelson
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Varney
authors.forename: Bernard O
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Boehm
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Olsem
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nicholson
authors.forename: Joan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Hilner
authors.forename: Letitia H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Perdue
authors.forename: June J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: Beena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Akolkar
authors.forename: Concepcion
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nierras
authors.forename: Michael W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Steffes
mesh_terms: D001773:Blood Cells; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics; D005453:Fluorescence; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D014943:Global Health; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D004247:DNA