The Liver Tissue Cell Distribution System (LTCDS) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) service contract to provide human liver tissue from regional centers for distribution to scientific investigators throughout the United States. These USA regional centers have active liver transplant programs with human subjects approval to provide portions of the resected pathologic liver for which the transplant is performed. Frozen or fresh tissue is available from subcontractors for the usual forms of childhood and adult cirrhosis, fulminate liver failure, chronic rejection, and certain inborn errors of metabolism. “Normal” liver specimens may be requested, however, the supply is appropriately very limited and completion of large proposal requests is unlikely.

A new service is now offered to provide isolated hepatocytes only to NIH investigators from "normal" human liver. NIH investigators are always given preference for tissue requests. Supporting letters for NIH new or renewal grant requests can be provided.

Direct inquiries to:

Harvey L. Sharp, M.D.
Principal Investigator, LTCDS

OR

Jane Cattell
LTCDS Coordinator
Department of Pediatrics
University of Minnesota
MMC 185
420 Delaware Street SE
Minneapolis MN 55455
Telephone: 612-624-1998
Fax: 612-626-0639
E-mail: ltcds@umn.edu  **please note this is a new email address

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