About Us

The RMATRIX Database Core provides collection, quality review, and query services for the clinical and laboratory data supporting the Biospecimen Repository. This function was created as part of a placenta phenotyping/genotyping study but has been separated into a separate function to support future projects and expand the interactions for automated data transfer. The clinical data repository in the core contains clinical data from maternal delivery records of more than 7,500 research subjects. The core has extensive experience working with the EPIC electronic medical records (EMR) system used by our community hospital collaborator, Hawaii Pacific Health (HPH). The core developed data dictionaries and procedures for extraction of data from PDF versions of the medical chart, and is presently working with HPH on developing a secure electronic download interface to automate the extraction of clinical data from EPIC into the clinical data repository. The repository runs on an Apple XServe computer using MySQL with FileMaker as a data entry front-end, and PHP/Apache web based tools for query and reporting.

The database core has already provided for four potential projects. Investigators interested in accessing the data repository should contact us for more information.

Biospecimen Repository

The RMATRIX Biospecimen Repository consists of over 7,500 obstetrical and fetal samples combined with existing clinical data. Samples and maternal and neonatal data collected as a part of this core have focused on racial and ethnic minorities and diseases disproportionately affecting these populations. Samples include gross pathology, including photographs of the placentas, paraffin embedded tissue blocks of placenta, placental samples at -80 F, fetal (cord blood) and maternal blood, and DNA extracted from blood and placental samples. The repository was established to be a resource to the University and community. Our goal is to increase the number of researchers utilizing the core and to expand capacity at JABSOM for biosample collection and storage.

Goals of Biospecimen Repository:

• The primary goal is to provide a biospecimen repository of obstetrical, fetal and neonatal samples combined with existing clinical and experimental data for investigator-initiated research.

• To facilitate inter-disciplinary collaborations and thus increase the number of high quality clinical research projects. This includes assisting junior investigators to develop and implement pilot studies.