New facility aids cancer research
Cancer researchers here at the UI now have a new resource at their fingertips.
The Tissue Procurement Core Facility will provide researchers with a well-characterized bank of frozen neoplastic and normal tissues designated for molecular genetic, biochemical or pathological studies.
“Quite a bit has been learned using animal models and tissue culture models, but the human system is often more complex,” said Dr. Patricia Winokur. “These samples will allow researchers to study tissues, blood or DNA from particular tumors or clinical syndromes to help identify the pathogenesis of these diseases.”
The Tissue Procurement Core Facility helps to obtain extra tissues from patients that aren’t vital for their continued care. This process will require consent from the patients and will be regulated in order to protect the patient’s private information.
The University already had a tissue procurement process for individual projects, but is developing the hospital-wide system as a way expand the collection and make fulfilling requests for samples easier and faster.
“We are investing in personnel who can help with collection and processing of samples,” said Winokur. “Eventually we hope to approach all UIHC patients to see if they would allow us to collect extra tissues and bloods. We are currently working through how this may be accomplished.”
Currently the facility is collecting certain types of cancer specimens. Cancer researchers at the UI will now have the ability to study multiple tumors, distinguishing differences in behavior of seemingly similar tissues. The collection includes lymphoma and leukemia tissues, as well as many different varieties of human tumor tissues.
“Some patients may have a genetic predisposition to a particular disease,” said Winokur. “This would allow us to better understand why a disease occurs in an individual, which could eventually lead to new therapies.”
Those interested in obtaining human tissue samples from the facility should begin by contacting the Tissue Procurement Core Facility’s office at 335-8211.