Glasgow life sciences business Tissue Solutions is helping search for a Covid-19 cure by co-ordinating labs' supply of testing materials.
Human tissue samples from Covid-19 patients are in high demand across Britain from scientists testing drugs and treatments.
Tissue Solutions works with biobanks to access samples for different diseases and is managing supply to ensure a fair share goes to each place where it will have the greatest impact.
Chief executive Morag McFarlane said: “Scientists across the UK have lifesaving work to do as coronavirus sweeps across nations worldwide, so Covid-19 resources must be shared effectively. This shift in operations with TDCC is playing an important role in the efforts to speed up our understanding of the disease.
“We’re making sure researchers can access the material they need. For example, if one team wants to order a blood sample, we will look into their study and make sure that they are not asking for more than necessary, so that other researchers can use the same sample, too.”
Tissue Solutions was founded in 2007 and is part of The Intelligent Tissue Group. It sources and ships ethically sourced tissue samples from all over the world. It responded to the UKCRC Tissue Directory and Coordination Centre’s (TDCC) appeal for help to triage requests for Covid-19 samples.
The company is analysing each request to ensure there is no duplication of studies and will recommend where it would be beneficial for researchers to work and share developments.
It will also manage shipping and logistics for these biobanks.
Phil Quinlan, director at TDCC, said: “I am thrilled that Tissue Solutions Ltd has responded to our call to action. Their expertise in refining research requests will be incredibly valuable in maximising the use of available Covid-19 tissue samples in the UK. We look forward to developing our processes to ensure the efficient release of samples to advance Covid-19 research.”
