Tissue Sample Preservation

Sparks Brain Preservation offers long-term tissue sample preservation as a service for families of recently deceased individuals or pets. We accept a small tissue sample, preserve it in the fluid state for long-term preservation, and store it in our facility in Salem, Oregon, indefinitely.

This service is available only to current SBP members. Click here to Become a Member. 

 

What it is

 

A small piece of tissue is collected from the donor at the time of death and placed in fluid preservative (typically in formalin and/or ethanol). The fluid-preserved tissue is sealed, labeled, and stored in a refrigerated unit at our facility. The tissue is intended to contain the donor’s complete genome at high copy number, preserved in a form intended to support the future recovery of information including DNA or other molecules, with the specific methods and capabilities depending on the technology available at the time of access. 

We do not perform any genetic testing on the sample. Our service is custodial storage only.

 

What this is for

 

Tissue sample preservation is appropriate for families and individuals who want to preserve a person’s or a pet’s genetic information for the long term, or other molecular information present in a tissue sample. This service does not preserve viable cells and is not intended to support any application requiring viable cellular material.

 

How it works

 

1. The next of kin contacts SBP and fills out the paperwork to donate the tissue.
2. The next of kin or SBP coordinates with the funeral home or medical examiner to have the tissue sample shipped to our facility in Salem, Oregon.
3. The tissue sample is preserved in fluid and stored at our facility.
4. The next of kin receives an email confirmation that the storage has been performed.
5. The next of kin can visit the facility to verify storage in person.

 

Cost

 

$400 one-time payment, with no recurring fees. A portion of each payment supports SBP’s long-term institutional sustainability.

 

Legal mechanism

 

The tissue sample is donated to Sparks Brain Preservation under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, with SBP designated as the recipient for the purpose of research, including long-term preservation to support current and future research. The tissue sample donation form must be signed by the donor in advance or by the legal next of kin at the time of death. 

 

Why tissue rather than extracted DNA

 

Storing the tissue itself, rather than purified DNA, preserves more raw molecular information and leaves the choice of extraction and recovery method to whoever accesses the sample in the future. Extraction methods improve over time, and locking in current methods would limit what can be recovered later. The tissue also serves as a more robust archive against the failure modes that can affect purified DNA preparations.

 

What happens if SBP ceases to exist

 

In the very unlikely event that SBP can no longer maintain the storage facility, SBP will make a good faith effort to transfer the tissue samples to another preservation organization or return them to the legally designated next of kin if possible, in accordance with our organizational continuity plan.

 

Get started

 

Tissue Sample Preservation Form - Human

 

Tissue Sample Preservation Form - Pet