Human Developmental Biology Resource (HDBR): A unique resource for studying human embryo and fetal development

Abstract

The Human Developmental Biology Resource (HDBR) is a unique national tissue bank resource, funded by the Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council. It provides human embryonic and fetal tissue to the research community for gene expression studies. Ethical approval exists for the collection, storage and distribution of material between 4 and 12 weeks of development. This valuable material is intended for use primarily to study the expression of developmentally significant genes, particularly those implicated in birth defects and other inherited disorders. However, the HDBR will consider provision of material for any human gene expression study, provided the project is well justified.
 
 The HDBR can provide fresh, frozen or sectioned material. A significant proportion of the HDBR material is karyotyped and chromosomally normal material is routinely provided for research. In addition, karyotypically abnormal material can be provided on request.
 
 The HDBR offers an in-house service for the analysis of gene expression at the RNA or protein levels. There is a charge for this service, to cover staff time and consumable costs. The HDBR also provides electronic images for publication and advice on interpretation of results. All data generated from HDBR-supported projects will in future be deposited in a public database.
 
 This poster presents specimen data from recently completed HDBR studies.