Workflow for Investigators

Below is the workflow for investigators to submit a project to the Pitt Biospecimen Core (PBC).

1. Projects can be submitted to BioTrack, the PBC Project Management Request Tool.  If your project is currently being handled by UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Pathology, a modification will need to be made to your current IRB to include PBC/HB015.  Contact PBC Project Managers to review IRB application and provide a signed HB Assurance form.
    
2. If you do not have a BioTrack account, you can request one by clicking on the “Request Access” link from the main page.
    
3. If you are new to the PBC, you will also need to create an HSCRF account for billing purposes.
   1. Go to the HSCRF website.
   2. Towards the bottom right hand side, under Get Started, click on Forms.
   3. If your laboratory is new to our services, click on the "Please Register Here" hyperlink and answer the following questions.
       
4. Your submission to BioTrack should include detailed inclusion and exclusion criteria, processing needs, and your IRB documents.
    
5. IRB documents can be uploaded under the “Attachments” tab and should include your full IRB Submission Application, IRB Approval Letter, Consent Form, and Exempt Form (if applicable).  To access your full IRB Submission Application:
   1. Log into PittPro.
   2. Click on the IRB tab.
   3. Choose the "Active" tab
   4. Click on the specific study that your application is needed for.
   5. On the left hand side under "Next Steps," click on Printer version (the full application is displayed), save the report, and upload to BioTrack.
       
6. Once the PBC receives a request, a Project Manager will review the request and the associated regulatory documents.  The designated PM will work one-on-one with the investigator or their designee in regard to estimates, workflow, and the SOP for their project.