Prion diseases are rare, fatal neurodegenerative disorders with no cure and limited treatment options. Despite their devastating effects, much about their mechanisms, transmission, and progression remains unknown.
Advancing our understanding of this disease requires dedicated research and access to critical resources. Investigators seeking to contribute to this field are encouraged to request data or biospecimens from our Center to support their studies and help uncover new insights into these complex diseases.
NPDPSC, through Case Western Reserve University, uses iLab Organizer to track and manage tissue requests. Our center's core name in iLab is "Neurodegenerative Research Core" (NRC).
- Fill out the CWRU iLab External User Registration Form.
- New users: once your account is created, you will receive an email with your iLab credentials, which you will use to log in.
- Current users: External users with iLab access through their institutions must also complete the form for billing purposes.
- Request access to our Neurodegenerative Research Core (NRC) page once your iLab account is created. This will allow you to access our services and submit a request. Access is granted within 1-2 business days.
- Submit your request for review.
- Once you have access to the NRC, select the appropriate service from our available options.
- Fill out the required information and submit your request.
- Review process:
- Tissue and/or data requests are reviewed monthly, on the first Friday of each month, by our Tissue Review Committee.
- Requests can be approved, rejected, or require additional information/specifications.
- PIs are advised to submit their requests with all necessary paperwork before the deadline to ensure review on the scheduled date. Requests submitted on the day of review or after will be considered in the following month’s review cycle.
- A Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) between CWRU and the recipient institution will be initiated upon request approval.
- If an active MTA already exists between the NPDPSC and the receiving institution, additional agreements may not be necessary unless modifications are required.
- When the MTA is executed, the request will be added to our Request Fulfillment Queue for processing.
- Requests are tentatively completed within 60 days of approval.
Please be aware that the following documentation will be asked to be provided by the researchers when submitting a request:
- A one-page summary of the research project, with the proposed type, quantity, mass/volume, and intended use for the requested tissue.
- NIH Biosketch of the Private Investigator (PI).
- IRB Approval or Exemption letter of the study.
These supporting documents can be attached while submitting the request in the designated fields, or at a later moment in the attachment section of the request.
For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact: nrc-ilab@case.edu.