Obtaining Tissue from the Neurobiobank

Establish a NeuroBioBank account via the NeuroBioBank website. The account will require a User ID and password, which will enable you to perform all steps necessary to submit a request for tissue.

Review NBB Best Practices and Guidance for Completing Your Tissue Request.

Browse the Neurobiobank inventory to find specimens that match your study needs. To submit a request, you must select specific specimens of interest. Your request must also provide sufficient detail to allow NBB and BTR staff to review and adjust your selected list of specimens, if necessary. In addition, you should provide a clear and detailed rationale for:

1. number of subjects
2. amount of tissue
3. specific brain regions

Requests for tissue amounts outside of the Tissue Request Standards must be accompanied by a detailed justification of the request. Note: Insufficient justification for requested tissue will delay the request approval and fulfillment process.

A copy of the Principal Investigator's CV or biosketch and a signed, system-generated MTA must be uploaded with all requests for tissue. MTA must be e-signed by the Principal Investigator and your institution's authorized signing official. The review process will not begin until the CV and MTA with the required signatures have been uploaded.

BTRs will review your selected specimens to confirm that they have the tissues requested and that the criteria outlined in the request are met. Communications (clarification of the request, shipping details, etc.) between NBB staff, BTR staff, and the requestor will take place via the "comments" tab within the Request. In some cases, modifications will be made to your request (e.g. reduction in sample number/volume) to extend the use of this limited resource as broadly as possible across the research community.

You will be notified if and when your request has been approved. Please note that your request may require tissue contributions from one or more NBB BTRs. They will contact you prior to shipment.

BTR staff will work with you to coordinate shipment and receipt of tissue. You will be responsible for shipping costs, which may include specialized procedures to accommodate the requirements for shipment of frozen biological samples.

To demonstrate the value of this taxpayer supported resource on an ongoing basis, you will be asked to submit a system-generated progress report one year after you receive your tissue. The progress report should include information related to how you utilized tissue provided by the NBB in your research, the findings that resulted, and whether any publications / grant applications were supported by this resource. You will not be eligible to obtain tissue from the NBB in the future if you do not submit a report of your progress. All published scientific findings derived from tissues and/or data obtained through the NBB must acknowledge the NIH NBB as the source.