For Researchers
Overview
The MCW Tissue Bank is a secure storage facility that collects, processes and distributes blood and tissue for research on campus.
The MCW Tissue Bank is a College of American Pathologists accredited biorepository. Our protocols and services are rigorously assessed and validated to ensure the highest standards are met.
Services

Histocytometry Services
Standard core-based tissue microarrays (TMA)
Tissue arrays by Cutting-Edge Matrix Assembly (CEMA)
Core-based cell pellet microarray
Tumor biomarker analytic support: Multicolor quantitative immunofluorescence histo-cytometry
MCW Tissue Bank Programs
General Tissue Bank
Consent Form
This is a lifetime consent and we consent for:
- One additional blood draw during a regularly scheduled clinic lab draw
- Otherwise discarded tissue from any future surgery, including bone marrow, tumor and control tissue
Availability to query available samples and deidentified clinical data with the help of CTSI’s i2b2 Cohort Discovery Tool. Deidentified clinical information we can provide:
- Race
- Age
- Pathological diagnosis
Participation Information
To participate in the MCW Tissue Bank subjects must:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Be a patient of Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin
- Speak and read English (consent form is only available in English currently)
Maternal Research, Placenta & Cord Blood Bank
Consent Form
We consent each pregnancy for:
- Peripheral blood draw – usually takes place at approximately 20 weeks, but can be collected postpartum
- Cord blood at time of delivery
- Placenta and cord blood
Participation Information
To participate in the MCW Tissue Bank subjects must:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Be a patient delivering at Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin
- Speak and read English (consent form is only available in English currently)
COVID-19 Bank
Consent Form
To participate in the MCW Tissue Bank subjects must:
- Be over 18 years of age
- Be a patient of Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin
- Speak and read English (consent form is only available in English currently)
Immuno-Oncology Bone Marrow Bank
Consent Form
This is a lifetime consent, and we consent for:
- An additional bone marrow sample to be drawn for research purposes only, at any of the consented participants clinically ordered bone marrow biopsies or aspirates.
- A paired blood sample to be drawn for research purposes only at any regularly scheduled blood draw
Availability to query available samples and deidentified clinical data with the help of CTSI’s i2b2 Cohort Discovery Tool. De identified clinical information we can provide:
- Race
- Age
- Pathological diagnoses
Participation Information
To participate in the MCW Immuno-Oncology Bone Marrow Bank subjects must:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Speak and read English (consent form is currently only available in English)
- Be a patient of Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin
- Have a bone marrow biopsy or aspirate scheduled through Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin
MCW Tissue Bank Request & Distribution Process
Request via iLab
All requests for MCW Tissue Bank services or samples should be made through iLab, which allows researchers to order, track, and pay for core services in a convenient, one-stop location. A fee schedule for MCW Tissue Bank services and samples can be found in iLab. To register your study in iLab, click the Register link below. Then complete and submit the Specimen/Service Request Form.
Committee Approval Process
Once your request has been made via iLab, the MCW Tissue Bank Manager will provide you with a quote for the services provided. When approved by the study team, the request is sent to the MCW Tissue Bank’s Utilization Committee, and if needed, the Executive Committee. Once the request is approved by Committee members, the decision will be communicated to the study PI.
Distribution Process
After Committee approval, MCW Tissue Bank staff will work on completing the study request. There is an approximate 2 week turnaround time for most requests.
Inquiry Form
If you are not ready to submit an iLab request and have general questions regarding MCW Tissue Bank services and samples, please fill out the Inquiry Form below. Inquires must be made by MCW faculty and their study team.