For Investigators

The Nervous System Tumor Bank (NSTB) team strives to provide investigators with high-quality biospecimens. We will work with you to identify and build a cohort that suits your unique project’s needs, goals and research question. The NSTB collects blood and tissue specimens from a wide variety of central nervous system tumors.

Available services include data acquisition and specimen collection. NSTB also offers a number of histology services. Please email the NSTB team for current availability of biospecimens.

Get Services

How to Submit a Request

Biospecimen Requests

To submit a request for research specimens, please complete the NSTB request form and submit it through the NSTB Disburser website. For non-Northwestern scientists, please email the form to nervous.system.tumor.bank@northwestern.edu. Requests are reviewed monthly at the NSTB committee meeting. The NSTB works with NUCore for the billing of our items and services.

Data Access & Data Queries

The NSTB has established an online database to document the growing tissue collection utilizing REDCap. Efforts to link de-identified clinical data to biospecimens are ongoing. Access to this database can be requested through email to the NSTB research team. Access is only available to Northwestern investigators.

Acknowledging the NSTB

All publications produced with assistance from the NSTB must include the following statement in the Acknowledgements section: “The Northwestern Nervous System Tumor Bank is supported by the P50CA221747 SPORE for Translational Approaches to Brain Cancer.”