How to Establish Research Blood Draws and Lab Testing
The UCSF Health Clinical Laboratory supports blood draw and clinical testing for research studies approved by the UCSF Institutional Review Board (IRB) with workflow that supports both blind and non-blind studies.
The scope of services the laboratory provides are:
- Blood draw
- Laboratory tests performed in-house at UCSF labs, on human samples
UCSF investigators receive discounted laboratory services. Blood draw and tests are given a research price based on a fee schedule. Prices of tests performed in-house are guaranteed for the current fiscal year. Annual increases are usually applied as part of Medical Center-wide charge updates at the beginning of the fiscal year in July. To be eligible for discounted rates, the researcher must contact the Intake Team ([email protected]) for pricing assistance.
Testing samples from research animals as part of a research protocol is not offered through the UCSF Clinical laboratories. Please contact the Mouse Pathology Core at the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center for assistance: 415-514-3500.
Due to Medical Center policy, we cannot forward research samples to reference laboratories for testing. We cannot perform specimen processing or storage for research samples.
If you desire specimen processing, specimen storage, or require testing that the clinical laboratory does not perform at UCSF, you will need to arrange these services separately. UCSF Health has several resources for the clinical research team to support this request.
The Clinical and Transitional Science Institute (CTSI): Clinical & Translational Science Institute for support of clinical, transitional, and basic life scient research to improve community health.
The Biospecimen Processing Lab (BIOS): Biospecimen Processing Lab: Provides a suite of biospecimen services to support clinical, transitional, and basic life research.
Before you submit a request, all research clinical lab testing or blood draw requests must meet the following two requirements:
- Research must be IRB Approved
- Research must have an APEX Account for billing
Additional requirement needed for Blind Studies Only: A submitter account must be established in APeX for the study for billing, accessioning and reporting purposes.
To submit for a Beaker Submitter account from the APeX research team:
Click the Link: APeX Business Apps Requests
Please select the “Research-related” checkbox in this request form.
To initiate the blood draw or testing request for IRB-approved research, please contact UCSF Clinical Lab Client Services at [email protected] to begin the process.
For additional information please contact UCSF Clinical Lab Client Services via email [email protected] or call 415-353-1667.
Additional UCSF Clinical Research Resources:
Clinical Research Services website
Office of Clinical Trial Activation website.
For questions regarding results reporting (including reference/normal ranges that are often required by research study sponsors) can be found under our Results Reporting section.
To request signed copies of our CLIA Directors' CVs please email Terrina Yamamoto.
FAQs
Which services do you provide for research studies?
- Human subject samples ONLY, no animal studies or samples.
- Blood Draw for patients (venipuncture).
- Testing that is performed within UCSF labs.
- For Blind studies only: A submitter account must be created.
How long does this intake process take?
- Leadtime for processing new projects has a lead time of 30 days if you have IRB, APEX account for billing, and Submitter account built within APEX (for blind studies)
How soon should I submit our request?
- Submissions are not recommended until 60 days prior to the first patient enrollment.
Where do I get pricing only for research lab services?
- To be eligible for discounted rates, the researcher must contact the Intake Team ([email protected]) for pricing assistance.
Where can I get CLIA Lab license certificates?
- To view current CLIA Lab license certificates, please visit the Regulatory-Compliance Link.
Where do I get Medical Director CVs?
- To request signed copies of our CLIA Directors' CVs please email Terrina Yamamoto.
How do I know which tests are performed at UCSF?
- You can access which test UCSF runs via the Lab Manual Search. Search for the test on the page via the search bar. If the performing UCSF lab is listed below, we run it in-house. If a site is not listed and reference lab (ARUP, MAYO, QUEST, LABCORP, etc.), we will not be able to assist with testing. You will need to work with Clinical and Transitional Science Institute (CTSI): Clinical & Translational Science Institute
- Parnassus
- Mission Bay
- Mt. Zion
- Berkeley Outpatient Center
- Peninsula Outpatient Center
- Stanyan Hospital
- Hyde Hospital
How do I find out the minimal volumes for testing that is performed at UCSF?
- You can access minimal testing volumes via the Lab Manual Search. Search for the test in the page via the search bar.
- How do I get reference ranges for testing?
- You can access Reference Ranges via the results-reporting link. Scroll to the bottom of the page to Reference Ranges.
If I need results, whom do I contact?
- Please contact UCSF Clinical Lab Client Services at [email protected]