National Cancer Tissue Biobank (NCTB) National Cancer Tissue Biobank (NCTB), a state-of-the-art non-profit community-based tissue bank, is a joint initiative of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India and the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM). NCTB is housed at Bhupat & Jyoti Mehta School of Biosciences, Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai. The biobank collects cancer tissue samples with consent from patients diagnosed with cancer. Information about the previous medical history and treatment of the donors is also documented along with the tissue samples. Tissue samples collected following surgery is in excess of what is required for diagnosis and would otherwise be discarded. NCTB is the first of its kind facility in India and is aiming to provide researchers with high-quality cancer tissues and the patient data in order to facilitate cancer research that will lead to improvements in cancer diagnosis and treatment. A panel of scientists and doctors (Steering Committee of the biobank) must approve that the project is scientifically worthwhile and the ethics committee must approve the project before bio-specimens are provided to researchers. NCTB is located in the Department of Biotechnology, IITM, which has a vibrant academic and technology ecosystem. Mission The mission of NCTB is to advance the field of biobanking in support of research improving cancer care and management. The goals of NCTB are: To prospectively collect and store tissue samples from donors of all types of cancer and make these materials available to investigators for basic and clinical cancer research. Encourage high professional standards and be renowned in biobanking. Identify problems in the biobanking field and provide solutions Vision “A Cancer Free Future” NCTB aims to centralize and standardize collection of samples by maintaining a large quantity of high-quality biological samples for research and discovery. Core Values Integrity - A reliable and ethical approach to biobanking Quality - Provide quality tissue samples to researchers Diversity - Availability of a diverse range of tissue samples Confidentiality Patient medical information will be confidential and are stored securely. Samples are coded and anonymised. The biobank database links the sample code to a patient’s medical information and the identity will not made available to researchers. Databases will comply with the Data Protection Act. Facilities Imaging Proteomics Sequencing Flow Cytometry Bioinformatics Gene Expression Profiling Tissue Storage and Processing Other Lab Facilities Services Biospecimens Sequencing Imaging Flow Cytometry Bioinformatics Bespoke Services Source: National Cancer Tissue Biobank (NCTB)