Overview of Services

The Tissue-Based Research Core (TBRC) was born out of the merger of the Test Development Service Center Lab (TDSC/TDL) and the Tumor Tissue and Biospecimen Bank (TTAB) [RRID:SCR_022430], also known as the Abramson Cancer Center Biorepository Sub-Core (ABR).

The Tissue-Based Research Core (TBRC) is dedicated to advancing the mission of the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) by facilitating access to high-quality, well-documented, human-derived samples for basic, clinical, and translational research, in addition to providing necessary research support services.

Established in 2005 with the shared vision of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the Abramson Cancer Center, TTAB and TDL have significantly contributed to Penn's clinical trials, cancer research, and disease-specific initiatives within PSOM, the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC), and external partners. The TBRC has extended its services to preclinical researchers at PSOM and the University of Pennsylvania, offering these same high-quality and essential tissue-based services.

We offer customized support for research projects, including initial consultation services for project planning and budgeting, tailored tissue collection kits, and logistical support for sample tracking, collection, storage, and distribution to principal investigators and their collaborators, both within and outside of Penn.

Our tissue collection and storage facilities are designed to ensure the integrity and quality of each specimen, with systems in place for the adequate tracking of warm and cold ischemia times, continuous freezer monitoring, robust backup systems, and comprehensive disaster recovery plans. The process of collecting samples is meticulously conducted, ensuring the highest regard for patient privacy, the secure management of data, and strict compliance with top ethical and biobanking standards at every step.

Services:

We facilitate collection, storage, and distribution of a variety of biospecimens, including paired normal and tumor tissue, blood, plasma, urine, saliva, etc. as required by a research protocol.

In addition, we provide research support services that include but are not limited to TMA construction, IHC staining, and DNA/RNA extraction.

Fresh Tissues: Collected and transported in appropriate media and conditions to maintain cell viability for immediate use in experiments or for cultures.
Frozen Tissues: Snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen or a -80°C freezer shortly after collection to preserve the RNA, DNA, and protein content. This method is widely used for molecular analyses.
Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) Tissues: Tissues are fixed in formalin to preserve their cellular structure and morphology, then embedded in paraffin wax. FFPE tissues are commonly used for histological examination, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and, for molecular analyses after RNA or DNA extraction.
OCT-Embedded Frozen Tissues: Tissues embedded in Optimal Cutting Temperature (OCT) compound before freezing, which facilitates the preparation of thin tissue sections for histological studies and immunofluorescence microscopy.
Blood Components: Including whole blood, plasma, serum, buffy coat.
H&E stained and unstained slides or sections or scrolls: for ancillary IHC and molecular tests.
IHC staining
TMA construction
DNA/RNA extraction
Pathology Review by a Board-Certified Pathologist
Clinical and pathologic data support

Tissue Collection:

Our tissue collection services are available at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) and the Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC).

@HUP: Frozen Section suite of Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PLM) in the new Pavilion (Floor 3) in HUP East

@PPMC: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at PPMC at 5 Wright-Saunders

We also facilitate blood/ tissue collection at various interventional radiology and phlebotomy clinics at HUP, PCAM and outpatient surgical pavilion.

Leadership

Anupma Nayak, MD

Director | anupma.nayak@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Office: 1-215-662-4899

Cell: 917-224-1849

Fred (Frederico) Valdivieso

Technical Director & Operations Manager, TBRC-TTAB Lab | valdivie@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Laboratory: 215-615-5404

Amy Ziober

Technical Director, TBRC-TDSC Lab | aziober@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Laboratory: 215-349-8415

Office: 215-615-4395

TBRC Email: TBRC@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Neuropathology

Zissimos Mourelatos, MD

Director Zissimos.Mourelatos@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Location and hours of operation

Hours

Location

Monday - Friday, 9-5PM

(University Calendar Schedule)

Maloney Ground, TBRC-TTAB Lab

3020 Market Street, TBRC-TDSC Lab

Links and Resources

TBRC Services Request Form

Guidance for CAMS

Contacts

Name	Role	Email
TBRC Lab Distribution List	Lab Email	TBRC@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Anupma Nayak	Medical Director	Anupma.Nayak@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Zissimos Mourelatos	Medical Director - Neuropathology	Zissimos.Mourelatos@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Amy Ziober	Technical Director	aziober@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Federico Valdivieso	Technical Director	valdivie@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Nicole Hackman	Research Manager	Nicole.Hackman@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Siena Martin	Technician	Siena.Martin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Corrine Burman	Technician	Corrine.Burman@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Shandon Black	Technician	Shandon.Black@PennMedicine.upenn.edu
Sarah Newman	Technician	Sarah.Newman@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Jeffrey Gordon	Technician	Jeffrey.Gordon@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Li-Ping Wang	Technician	wangli@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Yi (Emma) Hung	Technician	yihung@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Bobby Challender	Technician	Bobby.Challender@PennMedicine.upenn.edu

Steph Oberlin	Finance	Stephanie.Oberlin@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Ryan Hall	Finance	Ryan.Hall@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Jacquelyn Thomas	IT Support Specialist	Jacquelyn.Thomas@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
PBR Helpdesk	Finance	PBRHELPDESK@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

Tissue Based Research Core