Biospecimen data refers to information associated with the physical sample taken from a participant and its processing down to the aliquot level for sequencing experiments. This data falls into several key categories:
For major NCI CCG programs, biospecimen data is provided by a Biospecimen Core Resource (BCR) under contract to the NCI. Data is submitted in an established, schema-valid XML format. This data includes program and project identifiers, UUIDs, and the relationships between case, sample, and aliquot. UUIDs submitted by BCRs are typically adopted by the GDC.
For other submitters, data in the BCR XML format is accepted. However, the GDC also provides a simpler means for submission of a minimal set of biospecimen data, in which a data may be formatted in a JSON or tab-delimited (TSV) text file and submitted to the GDC Submission Portal.
The GDC Data Model uses a graph representation that has no technical limits on adjusting the entities and relationships. However there may be effects on quality control, reporting, accounting and user interface/experience. Therefore, major changes to the model needed to support new biospecimen information will undergo review by the GDC Data Model Change Control Board.
Links to the dictionary entry for each biospecimen entity are listed below. Each entry contains information about each field and a downloadable template for submission.
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