Cancer Center Tissue and Tumor Bank

The UMass Memorial Cancer Center's Tissue and Tumor Bank is an institutional core facility aimed at improving the research endeavors of the basic, clinical, and translational scientists of the Cancer Center.  The overarching goal of the facility is to help facilitate the science underway to improve the understanding of the underlying causes of the different types of cancer through the use of human tissue.

One vital component of the Tissue and Tumor Bank is the archival collection of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue samples that can be connected to clinical information dating back to 1993.  These samples are stored in the files of the UMMHC Pathology Department.

The second major component of the Tissue and Tumor Bank is a dynamic tissue collection, annotation, storage and distribution service, which collects fresh tissue samples for rapid processing/snap freezing immediately after surgery.  When possible, surrounding healthy normal tissue samples are also processed and stored for reference purposes.

 In addition to routine histology, fresh tissue for cell culture, frozen sections, unstained slides with DNA and RNA extractions are available.  Looking to meet the complex needs of the research community, tissue micro arrays will be available from the bank in the near future.

Researchers are able to request fresh, frozen or fixed tissue and any specific study needs will be met, if feasible.  The Tissue and Tumor Bank also provides assistance in the IRB approval process, and consultation during study design is recommended.

The Tissue and Tumor Bank is located on the Fourth Floor of the Lazare Research Building (Main Office and Lab), the Memorial Campus, and the Biotech complex.

Contact Information : 

Please click the link to download a Request Form:   Tissue Request Form