Human Developmental Biology Resource (HDBR) » FAQs

The HDBR strongly encourages publications of research using our tissue bank.  All publications arising from the use of material provided by the HDBR must acknowledge the contribution of the HDBR tissue bank within the manuscript.  We would also encourage the publication of data within open access journals, a list of which can be found at http://www.doaj.org/.

Ethical permission for the collection of this material for research has been obtained at the Institute of Human Genetics, Newcastle and at the Institute of Child Health, London . This approval extends to all UK based applicants who will not usually need to obtain their own ethical approval prior to the release of tissue from the HDBR. However, applicants will be required to obtain their own ethical approval from an NHS research ethics committee if their proposed project lies outside the activities for which the HDBR has existing ethical approval (primarily for gene expression studies), or if asked to do so by the HDBR. Under such circumstances, no tissues can be distributed until documentary proof of ethical approval has been received.

Non-United Kingdom applicants should be aware that it is their responsibility to make sure that they have satisfied their own institution's ethical committee and that the importation and use of human embryonic material for research complies with their own country's national ethical practices and guidelines. The Human Developmental Biology Resource cannot be held responsible for users' actions.

Yes, the HDBR is licenced by the Human Tissue Authority (HTA) to provide human genetic material to users.

Although the HDBR does not charge for use of tissue or other embryonic and fetal materials, we need to recover any costs associated with delivery.

The HDBR will charge users for the cost of experimental materials (not for tissues or other embryonic and fetal materials) and for a proportion of the HDBR labour costs involved in the IHGES gene study. The rest of the HDBR labour costs for the IHGES gene study and all the costs for the collection of material are core-funded by the MRC and Wellcome Trust. Users are assumed to have already secured peer-reviewed grant funding to support their gene expression project.

The prices listed below apply to each study involving analysis of a SINGLE GENE.

Pilot Study -Probe preparation, testing and verification of hybridisation to embryonic/fetal material.

Main Study - Hybridisation of probes under conditions optimised in pilot study to a maximum of 100 embryonic/fetal slides.

• UK research organisations  - £400 for initial pilot study (additional £1250 for main study).
• EU and US research organisations - £400 for initial pilot study (additional £1250 for main study) charged in £ sterling or in national currency if this would be difficult. 
• Commercial organisations please contact the Resource Manager at either hdbr@ncl.ac.uk or hdbr@ich.ucl.ac.uk

Additional slides using the same gene probe(s) might be required in extensive studies, for instance to study additional developmental stages. There is a small charge per additional slide.  Adding a new gene to an existing study will still incur a further £1650 (or equivalent in € or $) charge, as much of the cost relates to the initial preparation of hybridisation probes. 

A Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) is a legal agreement between your host institution and the HDBR centre providing material that ensures appropriate protocols are in place for transferring the human genetic material between our institution and yours.  MTAs frequently cover the transfer of biological materials, which in this case could include tissues, slides or cells.

If the HDBR is sending embryonic and/of fetal materials then an MTA will need to be set up.  Information about the procedure can be obtained from the Resource Manager at either hdbr@ncl.ac.uk or hdbr@ich.ucl.ac.uk