Our overarching hypothesis for this collaborative project is that preexisting genetic factors influence physical and psychological recovery after burn injury. We will address this with two aims:
Specific Aim 1: The Burn Model System (BMS) Project Directors together with the BMS National Data & Statistical Center will: a) establish standard operating procedures for buccal swab collection, transfer to a central laboratory, storage and processing and b) integrate associated biological sample identification codes and descriptors into the BMS National Database.
Specific Aim 2: Collaborating BMS sites will demonstrate feasibility of integrating a translational project into the BMS program with buccal swab sample collection from 100 participants, sample handling, storage and purification of quality DNA at a centralized BMS laboratory.