We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the highly anticipated 2023 AATB Annual Meeting from September 17-20, 2023, in National Harbor, MD. This premier event provides extensive opportunities for tissue banking professionals from all generations to network, collaborate, and align for the future.

The AATB biennial election for 2023-2025 Board of Governors Officers and At-Large Governors is open. AATB members who were members prior to the blackout period beginning May 18, and are eligible to vote in accordance with the AATB Bylaws, received a link to the ballot and voting credentials via email. Please take a moment to log in and vote.

Phys.org
Researchers at UCF were able to line 3D biomaterials with human cells and then fill the engineered tissue with blood for mosquitoes to bite and feed from. The researchers hope this process will be a new way to study how pathogens mosquitoes carry can affect human cells and tissue.

13WTHR
The prevalence of cancer is higher in women than in men, which is why so much research is focused on women’s cancer. The Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank (KTB) at the IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center in Indianapolis has opened the tissue bank to collect healthy tissue from men.

University of Glasgow
Researchers from the University of Glasgow found a polysaccharide from algae that lasts longer than other stiffening agents before dissolving, allowing more time to perform implant surgeries in brain tissue.

Interesting Engineering
A Canadian student invented LightIR, an engineering technology using light that can distinguish between cancerous and healthy tissue.

Medical Xpress
In situ bioprinting uses 3D printing technology that could allow the 3D printed tissue to be personalized for each recipient, potentially decreasing the rate of transplant rejection.

Join us September 17-20 at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD, for the 2023 AATB Annual Meeting. Registration opens in June.

The AATB Annual Meeting brings together the most talented and knowledgeable individuals in the tissue banking field for valuable networking, training, and collaborative opportunities that cannot be found elsewhere. Participate in this event to exhibit your products and services, connect with attendees on a personal level, and share your expertise. Don't miss the chance to sponsor and showcase your offerings at the 2023 AATB Annual Meeting – sign up now!

Join our June 21 webinar featuring speakers Rick M. Kolovich, MSN, RN, CCTC, CTBS, and Mark DeFilippis, MBA, CTBS, where we will discuss "Metrics and Mergers: LLF and WRTC, NEOB and LifeChoice." This presentation will delve into the changes in the donation landscape, regulatory oversight, and metric criteria that have led to mergers and shifts in donation service area lines. First, New England Donor Services will share its experience of combining New England Organ Bank and LifeChoice, including the growing pains of the merger. Then, we will review the ongoing merger of The Living Legacy Foundation and Washington Regional Transplant Community.

Join our June 28 webinar featuring speaker Shabnam M. Namin, PhD, MBA, CTBS, where we will review the essential components of tissue processing. In this webinar, we will take a step-by-step approach to explore the life cycle of donated tissue through general processing. From tissue receipt to storage, quarantine, donor release, and more, we will discuss the critical aspects of tissue processing. Our goal is to provide you with a general knowledge of the fundamentals of tissue processing, so you can better serve your donors and communities.

Wakeman, Ohio: The Organization: Exsurco Medical was formally established in 2010 as wholly owned subsidiary of Bettcher Industries—a well-established company based in Wakeman, Ohio (west of Cleveland).  Exsurco Medical exclusively represents the medical market segment for Bettcher Industries and has demonstrated impressive growth in the Tissue Bank market now with 90% share in the donor skin recovery.

Ann Arbor, Michigan: In support of Gift of Life Michigan''s mission, vision, and core values, the tissue recovery manager is determined, compassionate, and professional. In collaboration with the director, this position is responsible for developing, and implementing quality processes throughout the tissue department, to include; managing the daily activities of tissue operations, monitoring technical quality and proficiency of the tissue procurement specialist (TPS) staff, ensuring quality recovery practices, overseeing hiring, training and evaluation of TPS staff, monitoring donor record documentation, maximizing tissue gifts and participating in data analysis to include tissue recovery data, dry run cases, error rates, contamination rates, etc.

Albany, New York: Clinical Laboratory Consultants (CLCs) inspect facilities performing tissue banking activities within New York State and outside the State. CLCs are responsible for conducting on-site evaluations of staff qualifications and procedures, including the evaluation of facility standard operating procedure and review of records; record keeping; documenting findings in descriptive narratives and evaluation reports, and performing follow-up activities; investigating complaints and incidents; as well as general program administration.