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You are here: HOME > Researchers > Facilities > Tissue Procuremend and Distribution

Tissue Procurement and Distribution

The Tissue Procurement Facility specializes in the collection, preservation and distribution of human solid tissue for the IU Simon Cancer Center research community. It also assures quality control of these tissues, maintains essential integrity of the specimen for clinical care of the donor, and maintains donor confidentiality. The facility is operated primarily for members of the IU Simon Cancer Center and researchers at Indiana University.

Frequently Asked Questions: IU/Lilly Tissue Bank

What is the IU / Lilly Tissue Bank? This core facility was developed by the IU Simon Cancer Center in collaboration and with funding provided by Eli Lilly and Company. It has been in existence for about four years. Its purpose is to provide cancer researchers at IU and Lilly with tumor tissue that is suitable for modern cancer research (generally snap frozen or as required by the investigator). All Clarian Health Partners' adult surgeons have agreed to participate. The principal investigator of the project is Oscar (Bill) Cummings, MD.

What tissue is available? The facility now contains over 3000 specimens that represent most types of adult solid tumors. It also has select non-malignant tissue (for example inflammatory bowel disease) and some normal tissue (such as breast). Specimens are collected from patients undergoing surgery at IU or Methodist Hospital. The facility also has a significant number of other tissue specimens that are not included in the IU / Lilly project but are available to researchers. There is an important difference. Specimens in the IU / Lilly bank will have clinical follow-up available while the other specimens are "anonomized" and no information other than tumor type is available.

Who may submit requests for tissue? Any IU faculty researcher or Lilly scientist may request tissue. All requests must be approved by an advisory board composed of representatives from IU and Lilly.

What regulations must be followed to obtain tissue? All patients whose tissue is included in the IU / Lilly bank have signed an informed consent that has been approved by the IUPUI / Clarian IRB. This allows tissue bank personnel to obtain clinical follow-up. Investigators seeking to use tissue must have up-to-date biosafety training and have IRB approval for their individual project. In most cases, this approval is very simple as the patients have already been consented and no identifiers will be given to the investigator. Generally, for IU / Lilly tissue, the IRB will require only expedited review and for anonymous tissue, exempt approval will suffice. Details and forms can be found on the Research and Sponsored Programs Web site.

How do I find out exactly what is available and request tissue? See Policies and Procedures for information on the process of requesting tissue. There is a nominal charge-back for IU faculty members (see Tissue Procurement Charges).