Who needs IRB approval for TPCL services?
All investigators using human tissues must have IRB approval to obtain services from TPCL. This includes all TPCL services, from tissue procurement to digital slide scanning services, and is a requirement of the UCLA IRB. The only exception is investigators exclusively using autopsy tissues, which requires approval of the UCLA Department of Pathology Director of Autopsy Services; TPCL can facilitate this approval. Investigators using only animal tissues do not need IRB approval. If you are unsure if your project requires IRB approval, please contact a TPCL Co-director. What IRB application is required? To answer this, you must determine if your research requires: 1. on-going/future collection of tissues, vs. whether tissues already procured or stored in the Department of Pathology archives will suffice; 2. inclusion of direct or indirect patient identifiers (ie, medical record number, TPCL accession number, surgical pathology number) vs. whether completely anonymous tissue can be used;
