Tissue Procurement Core

The Tissue Procurement Team works in close collaboration with the Xenotransplant Core by leading the appropriate collection, processing and preparation of the biological samples for immediate xenotransplantation into immunodeficient rodent hosts. The samples include specimens of prostate, lung and liver fetal tissue that result from spontaneous deliveries occurring at Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island (WIHRI). Patient permission is sought for the use of the tissue. The tissues are processed for clinical evaluation and for research purposes within 4-36 hours of spontaneous delivery. The tissue procured for the purposes of this study are considered de-identified residual tissue. The expected gestational age range of the fetuses available for study evaluation is 12 – 22 weeks.

Specific Aims

• Facilitate the identification, inclusion and rapid procurement of spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) to be evaluated for enrollment in the CEH research protocol.
• Evaluate, procure and process selected fetal tissues to ensure successful use of the tissues in the proposed research projects. These include: fetal lung, liver, prostate, ovary and mammary tissue.
• Provide opportunities for clinical fellows, including Pediatric, Neonatology, Pathology and Maternal Fetal Medicine fellows, to engage in research related to CEH.

Personnel

Core Leader: Maureen Phipps, MD, MPH
E-mail Address: Maureen_Phipps@brown.edu
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Core Co-Leader: Stefan Kostadinov, MD
E-mail Address: Stefan_Kostadinov@brown.edu
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Research Assistant: Kristen Delayo
E-mail Address: KDelayo@wihri.org