Endocrine-Related Resources from the National Institutes of Health

Resources currently available to the scientific community that may be of interest for endocrinology research are described briefly here. More information is available through The Endocrine Society Home Page (http://www.endo-society.org) or the information provided below.

HUMAN TISSUE RESOURCES

NCI - Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN)

The NCI Cooperative Human Tissue Network provides normal, benign, pre-cancerous, and cancerous human tissue to the scientific community for biomedical research. Specimens are collected according to the investigator’s individual protocol. Information routinely provided with the specimens includes pathology reports and histological characterization. Contact the CHTN Web site at http://www-chtn.ims.nci. nih.gov, or Ms. Marianna Bledsoe, National Cancer Institute, (301) 496-7147; e-mail: mb80s@nih.gov.

NCI - Cooperative Breast Cancer Tissue Resource (CBCTR)

The NCI Cooperative Breast Cancer Tissue Resource can provide researchers with access to over 9,000 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded primary breast cancer tissues, with associated pathologic, clinical, and outcome data. All specimens are evaluated for pathologic diagnosis by CBCTR pathologists using standard diagnostic criteria. The collection is particularly well suited for validation studies of diagnostic and prognostic markers. Researchers can search an online database to determine whether the resource specimens and data meet their needs. Contact CBCTR’s Web site at: http://www-cbctr.ims.nci.nih.gov, or Ms. Sherrill Long, Information Management Services, Inc., (301) 984-3445; e-mail: sherrill@ims.nci.nih.gov.

NCI - NAPBC Breast Cancer Specimen and Data Information System

The NCI Breast Cancer Specimen and Data Information System, available on the World Wide Web at http://www-napbc.ims.nci.nih.gov, contains a listing of institutions that can provide access to breast cancer specimens and/or data to biomedical researchers.

NCI - AIDS and Cancer Specimen Bank (ACSB)

The AIDS and Cancer Specimen Bank provides qualified researchers with tissue, cell, blood, and fluid specimens, as well as clinical data from patients with AIDS and cancer. The specimens and clinical data are available for research studies, particularly those that translate basic research findings to clinical application. Contact the ACSB Web site (http://acsb.ucsf.edu/), Dr. Ellen Feigal, National Cancer Institute at (301) 496-6711; e-mail: ef30d@nih.gov; or Dr. Jodi Black, e-mail: jb377x@nih.gov.

NCI - Breast, Ovarian, and Colorectal Cancer Family Registries (CFRs)

The Cancer Family Registries includes two international registries: the Cancer Family Registry for Breast Cancer Studies (Breast CFR) and the Cancer Family Registry for Colorectal Cancer Studies (Colon CFR). The Breast CFR provides family history information, biological specimens, and epidemiologic and clinical data from clinic-based and population-based families at risk for breast and ovarian cancers. The Breast CFR infrastructure is particularly suited to support interdisciplinary and translational breast cancer research. Similarly, the Colon CFR collection includes family history information, epidemiologic and clinical data, and related biological specimens from individuals with colorectal cancer and their families. The colon CFR is a resource for population- and clinic-based translational research in the genetic epidemiology of colorectal cancer. For information on these registries, contact the CFR Web site (http://epi.grants.cancer. gov/cfr.html) or Dr. Daniela Seminara, National Cancer Institute, (301) 496-9600; e-mail: seminard@mail.nih.gov.

NCI - Specimen Resource Locator

The NCI Specimen Resource Locator (http://cancer.gov/specimens) is a database that helps researchers locate specimens for research. The database includes resources such as tissue banks and tissue procurement systems with access to normal, benign, precancerous, and/or cancerous human tissue covering a wide variety of organ sites. Researchers specify the types of specimens, number of cases, preservation methods, and associated data they require. The Locator will search the database and return a list of tissue resources most likely to meet their requirements. When no match is obtained, the researcher is referred to the NCI Tissue Expediter (http://www-cdp.ims.nci.nih.gov/expediter.html; e-mail: tissexp@mail.nih.gov). The Tissue Expediter is a scientist who can help match researchers with appropriate resources or identify appropriate collaborators when those are necessary.

NIDDK - Biologic Samples from Diabetic Study Foundation

A portion (1/3) of all stored nonrenewable samples (plasma, serum, urine) from subjects enrolled in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) is available for use by the scientific community to address questions for which these samples may be invaluable. Announcements for using this resource appear in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts periodically. Inquiries may be addressed to: Catherine C. Cowie, Ph.D., Director, Type I Diabetes Clinical Trials Program, NIDDK, 6707 Democracy Blvd., Room 691, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20814-9692. Phone: (301) 594-8804; fax: (301) 480-3503; e-mail: cowiec@extra.niddk.nih.gov.

NICHD - Brain and Tissue Bank for Developmental Disorders

The purpose of the Bank is to collect, preserve, and distribute human tissues to investigators interested in autism and developmental disorders; normal tissues may be available for other research purposes. Further information can be obtained at: www.btbank.org. The contact persons are H. Ron Zielke or Sally Wisniewsky, University of Maryland (1-800-847-1539) and Carol Petito or Stephanie Lojko, University of Miami (1-800-592-7246).

NCRR - National Disease Research Interchange (NDRI)

The Human Tissue and Organ Resource is a collaborative agreement between NCRR, NEI, NIAID, NIDDK, the NIH Office of Rare Diseases, and NDRI that provides normal and diseased human tissues and organs for biomedical laboratory research. Specimens are collected according to protocols designed by each researcher and within the necessary time frame. Sources include autopsies, eye banks, surgical procedures, and organ procurement programs. For further information, consult the NDRI Web site (www.ndri.com) or contact Ms. Sally Strickler at NDRI, 1889 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Phone: (215) 557-7361; fax: (215) 557-7154; e-mail: sstrickler@ndri.com.

NCRR - Islet Cell Resource Center (ICRs)

A collaborative agreement between NCRR, NIDDK, JDRFI, and several academic islet isolation centers has been established to provide transplant-grade human pancreatic islets for clinical and basic research protocols. Information on submitting requests for islets can be obtained from Richard A. Knazek, M.D., Division of Clinical Research, NCRR, NIH, 6705 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892. Phone (301) 435-0790; fax (301) 480-3661; e-mail: richardk@ncrr.nih.gov.

NIA - SWAN Repository (longitudinal, multiethnic study of women at midlife including the menopausal transition)

The SWAN Repository is a biologic specimen bank of the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN). The SWAN cohort was recruited in 1996/7 and consists of 3302 African-American, Caucasian, Chinese-American, Hispanic, and Japanese-American women. The SWAN Repository contains blood and urine specimens from each study participant’s annual visit, at which time medical and health history, psychosocial measures, biological measures, and anthropometric data is also collected. In addition, a subset of participants provide urine samples over the length of one menstrual cycle each year. All of these samples are in the SWAN Repository and are available to researchers who wish to study the midlife and menopausal transition. A DNA sample repository for SWAN is in the early stages of development. To learn more about the SWAN Repository and how to apply to use SWAN Repository specimens, contact the Web site at http://www.swanrepository.com or Dr. MaryFran Sowers, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Epidemiology Dept., (734) 936-3892; e-mail: mfsowers@umich.edu.





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