The Cancer Diagnosis Program of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) initiated the Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) grant program in 1987. The Ohio State University is one of the original grantees and currently operates as the CHTN Midwestern Division (CHTN-MWD). The primary goal of the CHTN is to facilitate the use of human tissues in biomedical research for basic and applied science. The CHTN services academic, industry and government researchers to help accelerate the advancement of scientific discoveries, as well as the progress in cancer diagnosis and treatment. The CHTN uses a prospective procurement model rather than a biobanking model and works directly with investigators to determine the appropriate tissue sources (e.g. surgery, autopsy and transplant) in order to tailor tissue-processing methods to meet their research needs. The CHTN obtains human tissues and fluids from remnant materials removed from medically indicated surgical resections, autopsies and other procedures.
The CHTN is comprised of five adult divisions that manage investigator applications and requests based on geographical regions throughout the United States and Canada. There is one pediatric division that manages all investigators requesting pediatric specimens. The Midwestern Division is based at The Ohio State University and is directed by Anil V. Parwani, MD, PhD, MBA, a Professor in the Department of Pathology. MWD territory includes Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming as well as Canada.
The CHTN divisions work both independently with individual investigators and together as a seamless operation to fulfill requests that are difficult to serve by any single division. The CHTN's unique informatics system allows each division to effectively communicate and network the needs of its investigators to all CHTN divisions. This tissue procurement network can collaboratively facilitate and fulfill an investigator's biospecimen request.
Tel: 614-293-5119
Fax: 614-293-7013
Principal Investigator:
Anil V. Parwani, MD, PhD, MBA
Chair and Chief of Pathology Services for the Health System
CHTN-MWD Manager: Randy Mandt email
Billing Coordinator: Tina Hatter email
Shipping Coordinator: Traci Jordan email