Clinical trial samples and sequencing workflows at GTAC@MGI, McDonnell Genome Institute
GTAC@MGI clinical trial support

Providing research grade data for clinical trials

GTAC@MGI supports industry led clinical trials that rely on consistent, well documented genomic and multi omic data from difficult samples.

Integrating molecular data to make difficult samples usable

We position molecular assays where they matter most so constrained clinical material can still support clear translational readouts.

Assay selection

Assays chosen with FFPE age, input limits, and tumor content in mind.

Sampling strategy

Baseline and on treatment sampling that can work with small biopsies.

QC and batch control

Run level controls and documented thresholds for which samples can be used.

Pathways and signatures

Pathway and signature level analyses that link molecular data to trial endpoints.

Deep experience with complex clinical studies

Groups come to GTAC@MGI when sample quality, assay design, and data interpretation all have to work on the first attempt.

46
Clinical trials supported with research grade data over the past fifteen years
40%
Of the top twenty pharmaceutical companies have partnered with MGI
95%
Of industry partners return for a second project
16
Years is the average tenure of MGI staff supporting these efforts

Designed for difficult clinical material

We routinely work with material that would not meet standard discovery study criteria.

  • Archived FFPE blocks and sections with variable preservation
  • Low input tumor biopsies and paired baseline or on treatment samples
  • Material with limited tumor content where enrichment and careful QC are essential
  • Cohort scale studies where batch structure and run level controls must be tracked
  • Study specific deliverables aligned with downstream statistical and regulatory needs

Clinical trials with documented GTAC@MGI involvement

These trials show how sequencing and expression data from difficult samples can still drive translational endpoints.

PALTAN trial

Pfizer, Phase II, breast cancer

Exome and RNA seq from paired biopsies in ER positive and HER2 positive disease supported PAM50 subtype calls, Ki67 assessment, and pathway analyses that informed trial readouts.

Read publication

Veliparib trial

AbbVie, Phase III, lung cancer

RNA seq from archived FFPE tumors in advanced squamous non small cell lung cancer supported a gene expression signature used for biomarker driven subgroup analysis.

Read publication

Translational support across the multi omic spectrum

MGI also supports discovery and translational programs that surround trial activity, including assay development, pilot work, and large cohort studies.

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