Biorepository
The Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center Biorepository supports medical research by providing high-quality, consented tissue samples to approved researchers. All researchers must comply with ethical and regulatory requirements outlined in the Data Use and Transfer Agreement, which must be signed upon receiving tissue. Access is granted only for IRB-approved studies or projects deemed non-human subject research.
A tiered system is in place:
- Tier 1: Projects from Marshall University
- Tier 2: Projects from the State of West Virginia or NIH
- Tier 3: All other research projects
Researchers requesting tissue from the Biorepository must complete an application packet, including an application form and the Data Use Agreement. Researchers may request tissue for a specific IRB-approved project. For non-human subject research, a letter from the IRB chair is required to confirm that IRB approval is not necessary.
Once approved, researchers receive tissue with minimal, de-identified data set that may include information such as age, sex, smoking history, and relevant pathology data. No patient identifiers are ever shared. Requests for additional data require further IRB chair approval.
Available biospecimens include frozen tissue, unstained slides, H&E, paraffin blocks, and uncharacterized primary cell lines. Blood and urine samples may also be collected upon request. Most tissue is cancerous, but normal and non-malignant tumor samples are also available.
Click OpenSpecimen to view available specimens. Specimens may also be requested through that link or by contacting the Biorepository directly.
Contact Us
Tissue Procurement Coordinator
Phone: 304.399.6655
Email: MHNBiorepository@chhi.org