PBMC Processing Laboratory in Chicago

What Are PBMCs?

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are key components of the body’s complex and dynamic immune system. A mononuclear cell is characterized by a single round nucleus and includes lymphocytes, monocytes, and dendritic cells. These cells have important immunological roles defending the body from infection, cancer, and other foreign invaders, making them ideal specimens to study immunological responses.

Some key applications of PBMCs in research include:

1. Immunological studies

2. Vaccine development​

3. Toxicity screening​, drug discovery​

4. Biomarker identification​

5. Cancer immunotherapy

6. Regenerative medicine​

Thus, PBMCs serve as a powerful platform for a wide spectrum of research and clinical applications.

Great Lakes Clinical Trials PBMC Lab

Great Lakes Clinical Trials has developed the internal capability and experience for PBMC collection, processing, counting, long-term storage and shipping. Processing takes place in a PBMC-dedicated, isolated, limited access laboratory facility. Multiple laboratory staff have been trained, qualified and certified by major global pharmaceutical companies. Our Great Lakes Clinical Trials team has experience with both BD Vacutainer ® CPT™ Cell Preparation Tube and Sigma-Aldrich ACCUSPIN™ Tube methodologies for PBMC cell isolation.

Our main PBMC laboratory is located at our Chicago/Andersonville location, with additional capabilities at our Gurnee location.

Note, that in addition to supporting Great Lakes Clinical Trials’ vaccine clinical trial programs and other clinical trial activities, our PMBC lab in Chicago is able to serve as an external, local laboratory for processing of samples collected from other research clinics in the Chicagoland region.