The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the University of Nebraska Medical
Center has approved the use of a new provider for fetal tissue used in
research for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons
disease and AIDS-related dementia.
In a meeting of the IRB on Oct. 19, the board voted in favor of making
Birth Defects Research Laboratory at the University of Washington a new
provider.
The Seattle-based tissue program is funded by the National Institutes
of Health and has provided tissue to scientists for nearly 40 years. The
program is a major supplier of embryonic and fetal tissue for NIH-funded
investigators and operates in full compliance with all relevant laws and
regulations, including those of the American Association of Tissue Banks.
It provides tissues only for grant-funded research (including NIH research)
in programs based at universities and non-profit research institutes. No
tissue is distributed to pharmaceutical companies or biotechnology firms.
Since its inception, the University of Washington program has provided
tissues to nearly 50 universities or research institutes.
Were committed to continuing our federally funded neurodegenerative
disease research programs, said David Crouse, Ph.D., associate vice chancellor
for academic affairs. UNMC has not received fetal tissue since mid-September.
We, therefore, have explored tissue programs around the country. We were
very impressed with the University of Washington program and felt this
would be our best option for obtaining fetal cells in the future.
Dr. Crouse said the University of Washington provides the fetal tissue
to UNMC at no cost. A collection and processing fee of $100 is charged
irrespective of the number of tissue samples obtained at any one time.
This collection fee was mandated by the NIH two years ago to cover the
programs expenses in collecting and processing the tissue and is the same
fee charged to all universities and research institutes. Prior to this
NIH mandate, the tissue had been provided at no cost and with no collection/processing
fee. No inducement, monetary or otherwise, is ever given to either clinics
or patients for tissue donation. Patients receive information sheets and,
before donating tissue, sign informed consent forms. The donation of tissue
is completely free-will.
Dr. Crouse said UNMC hopes to start receiving tissue samples from the
University of Washington very shortly. In order to conduct the best possible
research, its critical that we receive the cells in a timely fashion.
Thats why we have used a local source in the past for our fetal cells,
Dr. Crouse said. The University of Washington program provides overnight
delivery, so our researchers are hopeful the cells will be suitable for
research when we receive them. Over the next several weeks, we will need
to evaluate the cells for their suitability in the various experiments
that are being conducted at UNMC.
Astrocytes, microglia and neurons make up the three types of cells needed
for UNMCs research into neurodegenerative diseases. Astrocytes and microglia
are support cells, while neurons are the most critical cells for brain
function. Neurons work to receive and send out electrical signals throughout
the body and are instrumental for normal thinking and motor function.
Dr. Crouse said UNMC will continue its efforts to obtain these cells
from sources other than elective abortions. As announced two months ago,
UNMC will continue to focus on obtaining cells from rapid brain autopsies
performed within two hours of a persons death.
UNMCs research seeks to understand how brain cells are damaged and
to find ways to regenerate these damaged brain cells. With Nebraska ranking
among the top four states in the percentage of people age 85 years and
older, this research is very important to Nebraskans, Dr. Crouse said.
Currently, about 77,000 Nebraskans have Alzheimers disease, and the number
is expected to more than double in the next 30 years. Its estimated that
more than 5 percent of Nebraskas population suffers from some sort of
neurodegenerative disease.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals
practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment
to research, education, outreach and patient care, UNMC has established
itself as one of the country’s leading centers for research in cancer,
genetics, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and arthritis.
During the past year, UNMCs research funding increased by 31 percent and
now exceeds $40 million, including more than $25 million in federal funding
from such sources as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science
Foundation, Department of Defense and Veterans Administration.