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Office of Research & Development

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VA Tissue Banking Guidance

As of April 1, 2017, ORD is not reviewing any more applications for off-site tissue banking or storage of VA biospecimens. The program is ceasing. This was always a voluntary program and not considered official VA policy. Please refer to the guidance documents provided on this website for additional information on specimen banking/storage.

If an application has been submitted for review of off-site tissue banking or storage of VA biospecimens prior to that time, it will be reviewed and evaluated no later than April 30, 2017.

**The discontinuation of the off-site specimen banking/storage waiver program does NOT mean that specimens collected from VA research may not continue to be stored/banked outside of the VA. This determination would ultimately be made by the IRB, VA R&D committee and ACOS at your facility.

(1) April 27, 2017 tissue banking webinar slides slides

(2) May 11, 2017 tissue banking webinar slides slides

(3) May 23, 2017 tissue banking webinar slides slides

  1. Human Biological Specimens Used for VA Research - This guidance document describes human biological specimens in regards to their use in VA research.
  2. ORD Guidance on Information to Include in a Biorepository Protocol - This guidance document focuses on components of a protocol for VA research biorepositories that are established for future use.
  3. ORD Guidance on Stewardship of VA Research Biorepositories - This guidance document refers to the responsible management and care-taking responsibility of biorepositories or biobanks.
  4. ORD Guidance on Registration of VA Research Biorepositories - This guidance document applies to research biorepositories or biobanks maintained in VA space, or otherwise financially supported by VA, for the intended purpose for future research use. See also Instructions for Registering a VA Research Biorepository on the Smithsonian's GRSciColl Website
  5. ORD Guidance on What to Include in an Informed Consent Document When Banking VA Biospecimens for Research

Contact

Send inquiries about use of biospecimens in VA research to the VHA ORD Regulatory mailbox at: VHACOORDRegulatory@va.gov.



Questions about the R&D website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.