Rigor and Reproducibility

Eight steps to Rigorous and Reproducible Experiments in Biomolecular Research at UNC:

1. If using a core facility, consult with the core staff in the planning stage. Consult with a statistician if you need help developing a Power Analysis to assure that your results will be adequately powered.
2. Design your experiment with sufficient controls (rigor) and replicates (reproducibility).
3. Assure that ALL of your reagents (antibodies, cell lines, mice) are fully validated (see below).
4. Have a clear and detailed protocol (SOP) and data analysis plan. Assure that the protocol is strictly followed or that any deviation is well documented.
5. Assure that the staff or students performing the experiment are well trained and understand each step and the importance of performing them precisely.
6. Use only well-maintained instrumentation, preferably maintained and operated in a core facility with expert staff (see #1 above).
7. Document all steps, reagents, equipment and data analysis methods used in the experiment. Assure that the both the documentation and the data itself are properly stored in a safe data management repository.
8. Acknowledge the Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA016086) (if applicable), other grants that support the core, the core (by name), and core staff in publications.

Guide to Rigor and Reproducibility for the CGIBD Histology Core

1. Consult with the core staff in the planning stage.
2. In order to improve the quality and reproducibility of histological processes, all samples from a study are stained as a unified batch with the same lot of reagents to reduce variability among samples. Additionally, control slides are included in each stain run to verify that the stain is correctly staining the morphology. Before samples are submitted to the core, users should note the type of fixative used, tissue type, and treatments conducted for each sample.
3. Established reagents, resources, and vendors are used for all histological processes. Staining and processing protocols are referenced from validated and established resources.
4. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for equipment and staining protocols are available upon request.
5. Preventative maintenance is performed on the equipment in the CGIBD Histology Core on a regular basis. Service contracts are maintained through Leica.
6. Detailed descriptions for experimental procedures including staining protocol annotations and individual work request details are stored both electronically and physically. Equipment settings used for all work requests are stored digitally and physically. All data and documentation associated with respective work orders are stored in a data safe repository.
7. Please acknowledge the CGIBD Histology Core, core staff, The Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA016086), and the Center for Gastrointestinal Biology and Disease in your publications (P30 DK34987).