{"id":1423,"date":"2022-04-12T16:43:46","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T15:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/manchester-brain-bank\/?page_id=1423"},"modified":"2025-11-20T14:46:02","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T14:46:02","slug":"home","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/manchester-brain-bank\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ global_module=”322″][et_pb_fullwidth_menu menu_id=”7″ submenu_direction=”downwards” fullwidth_menu=”off” module_class=”main-navigation” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_layout=”dark”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_menu][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_fullwidth_slider show_arrows=”off” show_pagination=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_position=”top_left” custom_padding=”|||” custom_css_slide_description=”animation: none!important;” custom_css_slide_title=”animation:none!important;” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover=”null” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover=”null” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover=”null” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”][et_pb_slide heading=”Manchester Brain Bank” use_bg_overlay=”off” use_text_overlay=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ background_color=”#ffffff” background_image=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/manchester-brain-bank\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/383\/2022\/04\/brain-tissue-under-microscope.jpg” background_position=”top_left” custom_button=”on” button_bg_color=”#27a2db” button_border_color=”#27a2db” button_use_icon=”on” button_on_hover=”on”]<\/p>\n

Providing human brain tissues to researchers.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_fullwidth_slider][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_row custom_padding=”3em||0.5em|” parallax_method_1=”off” _builder_version=”3.0.47″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″ parallax=”off” parallax_method=”off”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Spacing only” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n

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The Manchester Brain Bank collects and supplies human brain tissues for research locally, nationally and internationally.<\/p>\n

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Established in 1986 by Professor David Mann, the Brain Bank has underpinned much of the basic and clinical research into the spectrum of frontotemporal dementia that Manchester has pioneered over 30 years.<\/p>\n

The Brain Bank is now under the expert leadership of Professor Federico Roncaroli, Dr Anna Richardson and Dr Andy Robinson.<\/p>\n

We work closely with many of the\u00a0neuroscience and mental health research themes\u00a0at The University of Manchester, including\u00a0neuro oncology.<\/p>\n

The Brain Bank is also part of the UK Brain Banks Network<\/a> and uses dissection protocols established by the BrainNet Europe consortium.<\/p>\n

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On this page:<\/p>\n

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  1. Work with us<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Application process<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Facilities for researchers<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Highlight publications<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Engagement and outreach<\/a><\/li>\n
  6. Meet our team<\/li>\n
  7. Contact us<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    ~1,000<\/p>\n

    brains<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    175+<\/p>\n

    research projects supported since 2009<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    36,614<\/p>\n

    samples distributed since 2011<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title: Work with us” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n

    Work with us<\/h2>\n

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    Researchers can apply for use of tissue from the Brain Bank.<\/p>\n

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    The Brain Bank contains around 1,000 brains from patients with various neurodegenerative disorders and from healthy, but elderly, controls. We also hold a small number of brain donations from patients who passed away with a brain tumour. Most brains have formalin-fixed and frozen tissue available for use in approved research.<\/p>\n

    Brains are recruited through tissue donation programmes including the\u00a0Brains for Dementia Research<\/a>\u00a0initiative (jointly funded by\u00a0Alzheimer’s Research UK<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Alzheimer’s Society<\/a>), the\u00a0Cerebral Function Unit<\/a>\u00a0at Salford Royal Hospital, and the Manchester and Newcastle Longitudinal Ageing Cohort.<\/p>\n

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    \n[\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title: Application process” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n

    Application process<\/h2>\n

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    You must complete and return a tissue request form.<\/p>\n

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    You can download the tissue request form below:<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/documents.manchester.ac.uk\/display.aspx?DocID=46250″ button_text=”Tissue request form” admin_label=”Button: Download tissue request form” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]
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    The request will then be reviewed by our management committee who will assess the application on its scientific merit and ethical use of tissues.<\/p>\n

    If you have any questions, please contact the Manchester Brain Bank Manager, Dr Andrew Robinson.<\/p>\n

    Email: andrew.c.robinson@manchester.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

    Cost recovery<\/h3>\n

    In line with a sustainable future for brain banking, the Medical Research Council and associated charities have introduced a cost recovery scheme for the provision of tissue.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    The tariff has been standardised and has been implemented across the\u00a0UK Brain Banks Network<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/manchester-brain-bank\/tariff\/” button_text=”View the tariff” admin_label=”Button: Tariff” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]
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    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title: Facilities for researchers” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n

    Facilities for researchers<\/h2>\n

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    Alongside offering brain tissue for use in research, Manchester Brain Bank also has a range of facilities available for researchers to use.<\/p>\n

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    If you would like to use any of the below, or have any questions about our facilities and services, please contact the Brain Bank Manager, Dr Andrew Robinson.<\/p>\n

    Email:\u00a0andrew.c.robinson@manchester.ac.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion admin_label=”Accordion: Facilities” _builder_version=”3.17.6″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Microscopy suite” open=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n

    Our microscopy suite includes a state of the art Leica DMR2500 microscope with camera and associated software.<\/p>\n

    Charges for use start at \u00a35 per hour.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Frozen tissue and cutting of non-Brain Bank material” open=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n

    Our Leica CM1860 Cryostat Microtome means we can now supply frozen sections of human brain tissue for use in research.<\/p>\n

    We are also offering the service of cutting non-Brain Bank material for a small fee.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”JESS automated western blotting system” open=”on” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n

    Manchester Brain Bank and Research and Innovation at Salford Royal Hospital own a JESS automated western blotting system by ProteinSimple.<\/p>\n

    This replaces the need for traditional western blotting (WB). Where traditional WB uses large amounts of reagents and can take up to three days to complete, an automated run using the JESS uses minimal reagents, takes only three hours to complete and provides quantitative, automatically normalised data for your protein of interest.<\/p>\n

    The JESS uses capillary electrophoresis rather than traditional SDS-PAGE and can use chemiluminescence or fluorescence detection.<\/p>\n

    Researchers from the Division of Neuroscience (DNS) will receive a discount when using the JESS.<\/p>\n

    \"Jess<\/p>\n

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    We offer tissue microarrays (TMAs), which are constructed from multiple cores of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue and are incredibly useful tools for characterising antibodies during immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence (IHC, IF) and other histological staining techniques.<\/p>\n

    Use of a TMA section allows staining across a range of tissue types while reducing the use of costly reagents.<\/p>\n

    Manchester Brain Bank can offer TMA blocks containing 15 4mm diameter cores.<\/p>\n

    \"Tissue<\/p>\n

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    Highlight publications<\/h2>\n

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    Browse a selection of our publications.<\/p>\n

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    Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n

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    Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n

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    Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Ultrastructural and biochemical classification of pathogenic tau, alpha-synuclein and TDP-43″ open=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n

    Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Structure-based classification of tauopathies” open=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n

    Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Distinct tau folds initiate templated seeding and alter the post-translational modification profile” open=”off” _builder_version=”3.17.6″ title_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” title_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em” body_text_shadow_horizontal_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_vertical_length=”0em” body_text_shadow_blur_strength=”0em”]<\/p>\n

    Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text: See all pubs – RHS” _builder_version=”3.17.6″]<\/p>\n

    See all publications by:<\/p>\n