Human Tissue Respository & Tissue Analysis

The Human Tissue Repository and Tissue Analysis Shared Resource (HTR-TASR) are jointly funded by the Cancer Center and the Department of Pathology. They have been set up to facilitate the translational research of the faculty in the Cancer Center, the Department of Pathology, the School of Medicine and across Institutes. This website describes the services offered and contact details of HTR-TASR staff members who can advise on specimen availability and all aspects of histology and molecular pathology.

Purpose:

To facilitate the acquisition, storage, and distribution of high quality human tissue samples to UNM researchers for use in scientific investigations while observing appropriate ethical, scientific, and legislative principles and regulations.

• The NCI Best Practices for Biospecimen Resources is the guide we use.
• Summary of HTR-TASR Services for Grant Applications

  The Human Tissue Repository and Tissue Analysis Shared Resource (HTR-TASR) has the capability to perform a number of techniques and offers a variety of services on a fee for service basis.

  The HTR-TASR collects matched normal and tumor tissue primarily from left-over discard surgical specimens, and stores them either frozen or as formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) blocks. Investigators can request the tissues, with approvals required from the IRB (Human Research Protections Office) and Tissue Research Oversight Committee (TROC, formerly SRC).

  The HTR-TASR can also provide a number of different histology and molecular services, such as sectioning and H&E staining, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence using the Ventana Discovery Ultra Platform, creation of custom Tissue Microarrays (TMAs), slide digitizing (brightfield and fluorescent) via the Aperio Versa 200, and image analysis using the HALO™ Platform (from Indica Labs, headquarters in Albuquerque, NM).

  Various types of blood processing is available, including performance of cell count and viability via the Nexelom Cellometer 1000.

  Some investigators require specially prepared specimens or have specific specimen requirements. For these approved studies, HTR personnel will prospectively collect the specimens and process tailored to the researchers’ needs. In addition, some molecular services are available, such as DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and real-time PCR. A feasibility meeting should be set up with the Technical Manager and Operations Manager to discuss desired services.

• Acknowledgment of HTR-TASR for publications

  To acknowledge use of this shared resource, please include the following in your publications: This research was partially supported by UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center Support Grant NCI P30CA118100 and made use of the Human Tissue Repository and Tissue Analysis Shared Resource, which receives additional support from The University of New Mexico School of Medicine Department of Pathology.

Rationale:

• Benefits future patients by allowing researchers access to well preserved and maintained tissues that might not otherwise be available
• Benefits UNM HSC by strengthening mission of providing quality patient care through fostering innovative and clinically valuable research
• Honest broker function of the HTR in dispensing de-identified specimens devoid of the 18 HIPAA personal identifiers protects researchers from potential HIPAA complications/violations

About the Tissue Analysis Shared Resource

The TASR provides a variety of histology services, including various types of immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining, as well as various molecular pathology techniques such as PCR, Real-Time PCR, DNA and RNA extraction from tissues and fluids and immunofluorescence.

Links to Other Resources

UNM Cancer Center
Fluorescent Microscopy & Cell Imaging Shared Resources
Flow Cytometry & Single Cell Analysis Shared Resource 
Analytical and Translational Genomics Shared Resource
Animal Models Shared Resource
Bioinformatics