Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General Questions

• Who can use BSPL services? 

  BSPL services are available to all University of California, San Francisco faculty and investigators. External collaborations with outside institutions are only allowed if the institution has a collaborator agreement with a UCSF investigator.

• What happened to BIOS? 

  The BIOS Program transitioned under CTSI leadership in 2022 and was absorbed into the Biospecimen Processing Lab (BSPL).

  All biopsy and surgical tissue acquisition services that were previously available through BIOS are still being offered under the newly formed BSPL at the Mission Bay, Parnassus and Mt. Zion campuses. We invite you to review the BSPL website, where you can find detailed information about policies, forms for pathologist collaboration, and instructions on how to submit requests for biopsy and surgical collections.

• How do I onboard a new study with BSPL?

  To onboard a new study, please submit a New Protocol Support Request through the Biospecimen Processing Lab iLab page and include all relevant documents.

• How do I request acquisition services?

  All service requests should be added as a calendar request to the resource email address ([email protected]). Service requests should be submitted at least 24 hours in advance, though advanced notice is preferred.

• How do I obtain samples that are stored in the biobank?

  To retrieve samples from the biobank, please submit a Retrieve Samples from the Biobank request through the Biospecimen Processing Lab iLab page and include all relevant documents. A UCSF Biobank Template for sample requests is available while submitting a retrieval request. Please submit a manifest of requested samples using this template. 

• How do I query my inventory?

  Inventory records are managed through the MBioLIMS database system. All BSPL users will be given access to view sample collection, processing, and inventory records for their studies. The MBioLIMS database has an advanced query function that allows you to query your inventory based on study, patient ID, timepoint, sample type, aliquot volume, etc. Please contact the BSPL Lab Manager ([email protected]) if more advanced/involved querying is needed. 

• How do I obtain histology slides or stains?

  We currently outsource all histology services to the Histology and Biomarker Core. Please visit their website for additional information on pricing and how to request services (https://cancer.ucsf.edu/research/cores/histology-biomarkers). 

• How can I receive an itemized invoice?

  The iLab billing system will send an invoice to the assigned iLab contact at the end of each billing cycle. For additional information or an itemized breakdown of charges, please email the BSPL Lab Manager ([email protected]) and an itemized report can be provided. Please contact iLab support to set up contact information ([email protected]).

• How do I renew or update a speedtype in iLab?

  If a speedtype expires in iLab, or is not assigned to a user, please contact the iLab support email address ([email protected]).

Acknowledgement

All publications resulting from the utilization of the Biospecimen Processing Lab are required to acknowledge the Clinical Translational Science Institute and our CTSA grant using the following text:

"Research reported in this publication utilized the Biospecimen Processing Lab within CTSI at the University of California, San Francisco, and was supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number UL1 TR991872. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH."