A research tissue bank for diabetic and non-diabetic skin (Version 2)

• Research type

  Research Tissue Bank

• IRAS ID

  208253

• Research summary

  A research tissue bank for diabetic and non-diabetic skin (Version 2)

• REC name

  East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 1

• REC reference

  16/ES/0069

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Jun 2016

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion

• Data collection arrangements

  Skin biopsy samples are requested to assist in studies helping to understand diabetic wound healing processes and to develop novel therapies that may assist wound healing events. Samples, either punch biopsies (4-5mm2) or tissue from surgical applications will be collected by clinicians involved in the study, following discussion, information about the research project and consent registration. The tissue samples will be collected in small tubes containing media that ensure the tissue remains viable for up to 24 hrs. Upon arrival in the laboratory tissue will either be used directly to isolate skin cells that can be grown in culture or will be frozen and banked for future use. Isolated skin cells once grown will also be banked and can be used in extensive experiments. All tissue samples will be stored in high standard laboratory conditions that are only accessible by registered swipe card access and stored in dedicated freezer or fridge space. Any patient data will be anonymised by clinicians and researchers only have access to minimal anonymised clinical information that enable cross matching of experimental data.

• Research programme

  Chronic non-healing wounds are a major concern for the increasing diabetic and ageing population. There are no cures and current treatments are labour intensive and require extensive patient compliance. A major focus of research programmes that will access this tissue bank will be the use of skin cells isolated from normal and diabetic patients. These will be used in studies to define the role of specific proteins and cellular environmental changes (e.g. ischaemia) on cellular behavior. Agents that target proteins modified in a diabetic wound environment and improve the proteins mode of action can be investigated to see if they hold therapeutic potential. Using 2D and 3D tissue culture models reduces the numbers of animals used in research and provides data that may help in clinical trials, should agents be identified. Skin cells are also being used in research projects linked to 'adult stem cell therapies'. Technologies where by patient biopsy material can be taken and the adult skin cells 'reprogrammed' to form nerve or cardiac cells are now possible. The research community currently supported by the bank includes Research Teams at GCU and collaborators at a number of national and international locations including Texas and Singapore.

• Storage license

  NA

• RTBTitle

  A research tissue bank for diabetic and non-diabetic skin (Version 2)

• Establishment organisation

  Diabetes Research Group, Dept Life Sciences, School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University

• Establishment organisation address

  Glasgow Caledonian University

  Cowcaddens Road

  Glasgow

  G4 0BA