Biobank and Molecular Analysis Program (BMAP)
About BMAP
The Biobank and Molecular Analysis Program (BMAP) is an enterprisewide, state-of-the-art facility that houses a tissue biorepository as well as a wet lab specializing in molecular biology instrumentation and methodologies. Formed from the merger of the Biobank (established in 2009), the Biomolecular Core Laboratory (established in 2001) and the Pediatric Genomic Laboratory (merger June 2023), BMAP has a combined 21 years of expertise to guide the research goals of clinicians, clinician scientists and investigators at Nemours Children's, partner institutions and surrounding communities. We are a fully staffed laboratory under the direction of Diana Corao-Uribe, MD. We are supported by many federal and nonfederal grants throughout Nemours.
The Biobank is a tissue biorepository storing more than 10,000 specimens (solid/liquid tumor, tissue, cells, blood, stool, etc.) and is fully accredited by the College of American Pathologists. We offer clinical trial support as well as basic specimen processing, including serum and plasma isolation, mononuclear cell isolation, liquid nitrogen flash freezing, as well as cell culture of surgery specimens (bone, cartilage, skin, etc.).
The Molecular Analysis Program houses multiple instrumentation that allows for immediate specimen processing, including but not limited to, nucleic acid extraction and QC, specimen identification and profiling, Real-Time qPCR and gene expression analysis, CNV (copy number variation) detection and digital PCR, as well as DNA sanger sequencing. Next-generation sequencing services (such as whole exome, transcriptome, and targeted panels) are provided through the Pediatric Genomic Lab. In addition to bulk sequencing, single cell applications are supported via 10X.
We manage a shared instrumentation facility with access to the following: QIAsymphony, Nanodrop, Qubit, Biomek liquid handler and a QS7 Flex Real-Time PCR system. In addition to our fee for services, BMAP offers experimental design and project development for molecular biology applications.
Contact
Diana Corao-Uribe, MD
Director
(302) 651-6384
diana.coraouribe@nemours.org
Jennifer Holbrook, BS
Program Manager
(302) 651-6824
jennifer.holbrook@nemours.org
Deepti Anand, PhD
Research Scientist
(302) 298-7367
deepti.anand@nemours.org
Program Coordinator
nemoursbiobank@nemours.org
- Meet Our Team
- Biorepository Services
- Molecular Analysis Services
- Regulatory (IRB, HIPAA, CAP)
- FAQs
BMAP Associates
Diana Corao-Uribe, MD
Director
(302) 651-6384
diana.coraouribe@nemorus.org
Dr. Corao-Uribe is the founder of the Nemours Biobank and the current director of the Nemours Biobank and Molecular Analysis program (BMAP). She completed her Anatomic and Clinical Pathology fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and a pediatric fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She has been at Nemours since 2008 and during her tenure she has grown the BMAP into an enterprisewide, state-of-the-art facility that houses more than 13,000 specimens and supports the needs of the research community.
Jennifer Holbrook, BS
Program Manager
(302) 651-6824
jennifer.holbrook@nemours.org
Jennifer Holbrook is the program manager for the Nemours Biobank and Molecular Analysis Program (BMAP). She has been with Nemours since 1998. Jenn provides leadership, management and direction to the program, and is responsible for the daily operations of BMAP enterprisewide. She works with administrative leadership in developing strategic plans and budgets for the program, as well as implementing and improving operational practices and procedures, including our CAP accreditation.
Deepti Anand, PhD
Research Scientist
(302) 298-7367
deepti.anand@nemours.org
Deepti Anand, PhD, is a research scientist at Nemours Children’s in the Delaware Valley. Dr. Anand joined Nemours in August 2022 to serve as a technical advisor, guide and develop clinician and investigator-led, patient-centered research projects and provide technical support for expanding the services offered by the Biobank and Molecular Analysis Program.
Before joining Nemours, Dr. Anand spearheaded several research projects, managed national and international collaborations, and published in leading journals during her research tenure at the University of Delaware. She received several awards and a prestigious career-starter grant from the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.
Deborah Stabley, BS
Senior Research Associate
(302) 651-6723
deborah.stabley@nemours.org
Deborah (Deb) Stabley is a senior research associate who has been with Nemours as part of the Biomedical Research Department since 1995. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from Bucknell University and has multiple peer-reviewed publications. Deb has extensive experience performing molecular biology techniques and is responsible for providing core services as well as custom research projects.
Raymond George, MS
Clinical Research Associate
(302) 298-8052
raymond.george@nemours.org
Raymond George is a clinical research associate in the Biobank and Molecular Analysis Program (BMAP). He completed his BS and MS in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Delaware. Raymond is a member of our genomics team responsible for performing various molecular biology techniques including DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation and next generation sequencing (NGS). He also supports Nemours Biobank functions by processing clinical trial and patient specimen samples.
Lee Hirata, BS
Senior Clinical Research Technologist
(302) 651-6833
lee.hirata@nemours.org
Lee is a Senior Clinical Research Technologist with the Pediatric Genomics Laboratory — now a part of the Nemours Biobank and Molecular Analysis Program (BMAP). Lee earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Virginia Tech and has extensive experience in molecular biology. Her focus in the department is to offer researchers services in Next Generation Sequencing.
Ian Kang, BS
Clinical Research Technologist
(302) 298-7934
ian.kang@nemorus.org
Ian Kang is a clinical research technologist for the Nemours Biobank and Molecular Analysis Program (BMAP). Ian is responsible for processing specimens and clinical trials for the various studies participating with the Biobank. He recently graduated from University of Delaware with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Chemistry.
Dhwani Shah, MS
Clinical Research Coordinator
(302) 651-6548
dhwani.shah@nemours.org
Dhwani Shah is the clinical research coordinator for the Biobank and Molecular Analysis Program (BMAP) and is also clinical research coordinator for the Clinical Research Core Department. Dhwani is responsible for recruiting the patients for the clinical trials in the Biobank. She completed both her bachelor’s and master’s in pharmacy in clinical research from India.
Keeana Bacchus, BS
Research Assistant I
(302) 651-6723
keeana.bacchus@nemours.org
Keeana Bacchus has her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is currently a research assistant for Nemours Children’s Biobank, primarily focused on The American Lung Association [ALA] Lung Health Cohort, where she coordinates specimen acquisition with sites and follows specimen specific protocol for storage within the Biobank. She also manages the ALA-ACRC, the Biospecimen Inventory System (BSI), to ensure specimens are corresponding to the Biobank’s freezer locations.
Gwen Ovalle, BS
Clinical Research Assistant — Jacksonville
(904) 517-9334
gwen.ovalle@nemours.org
Gwen Ovalle is the clinical research assistant and Nemours Biobank and Molecular Analysis Program (BMAP) contact local to Jacksonville. Gwen's responsibilities include managing patient consents, sample acquisitions and shipments, and coordinating contact between researchers and program managers. Gwen has graduated from Florida State University with her BS in Environmental Science and Policy and is working towards a second BS from Florida State College at Jacksonville in Biomedical Sciences.
Pooja Patel
Clinical Research Coordinator II
pooja.patel4@nemours.org