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Viable tissue preservation and governed biospecimen access—built for modern translational science

SpeciCare enables viable cryopreservation of tumor tissue and a quality-managed tissue stewardship workflow designed for downstream use cases like single-cell / single-nucleus sequencing, multi-omics, organoid/ALI models, and translational biomarker programs—while aligning with established biobanking quality systems and privacy/security expectations. (PMC)

Benefits of Cryopreservation

Preserve cellular viability for single-cell and functional assays

For workflows that depend on live cells (or intact nuclei), viable cryopreservation can maintain tumor heterogeneity and produce high-quality single-cell multi-omics outputs in multiple tumor types. (PMC)0

What that unlocks:
  • scRNA-seq / CITE-seq–style immune profiling (where appropriate)
  • Single-nucleus RNA-seq for frozen tissues when fresh dissociation is impractical (Nature)
  • Tumor ecosystem mapping at scale using standardized biobank workflows

Support organoid, ALI, and ex-vivo culture pipelines with less “fresh-tissue pressure”

Multiple studies demonstrate that slow-frozen or cryopreserved tumor tissues can remain viable for establishing 2D/3D cultures and related translational models, helping teams decouple collection logistics from experiment timing. (Nature)

Improve nucleic-acid integrity for omics and discovery programs

Frozen / appropriately preserved specimens are widely used to support higher-integrity DNA/RNA/protein endpoints—especially when paired with controlled preanalytics and SOP discipline. The NCI has published evidence-based practices for snap-freezing of post-surgical tissues for downstream DNA/RNA/protein and morphology analyses. (Cancer Treatment Division)

Tissue Licensing & Sales

Governed access models for biospecimens and derived materials

SpeciCare supports compliance-first access to biospecimens and derived materials (e.g., tissue aliquots, viable cell suspensions, nucleic acids, select derived models where available) through standard research contracting mechanisms.

Typical engagement models include:

  • Cost-recovery access fees (processing, storage, QC, fulfillment)
  • Study-based access (defined cohort + endpoints + release schedule)
  • Programmatic partnerships (longer-term translational alliances)
  • Derived-material access (where permitted and available)

How access is structured (practical + familiar to research offices)

Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) / Uniform templates

Transfers are commonly executed under an MTA (and sometimes the NIH UBMTA framework for nonprofit-to-nonprofit exchanges), defining permitted use, redistribution restrictions, publication norms, and IP terms. (Grants.gov)

Data use + privacy (HIPAA-aware handling)

Where human data is involved, sharing typically relies on de-identification methods and/or IRB/consent-aligned governance, consistent with HIPAA de-identification guidance and privacy rule principles for research disclosures. (HHS) (Implementation varies by institution; SpeciCare aligns to the requirements of your IRB/legal team and study design.)

Export / international collaboration safeguards (important 2025 update)

NIH issued a policy notice on enhancing security measures for human biospecimens (effective in late 2025), including documentation and restrictions around sharing NIH-supported biospecimens with “countries of concern” under narrow exceptions. If your project is NIH-funded or touches NIH-supported materials, this can affect cross-border transfer planning. (Grants.gov)

Regulatory boundary clarity (research vs. clinical use)

If materials are intended for implantation/transplantation/infusion into humans, U.S. FDA HCT/P regulations (21 CFR 1271) may be implicated. SpeciCare’s research access is structured for research use; clinical application pathways require separate regulatory consideration. (eCFR)

Typical engagement models include:

  • Cost-recovery access fees (processing, storage, QC, fulfillment)
  • Study-based access (defined cohort + endpoints + release schedule)
  • Programmatic partnerships (longer-term translational alliances)
  • Derived-material access (where permitted and available)

Peer Reviewed Papers / News

Viable cryopreservation preserves tumor heterogeneity for single-cell multi-omics

(Genome Medicine, 2021) — Demonstrates high-quality single-cell multi-omics from cryopreserved human cancers. (PMC)

Single-cell / single-nucleus toolbox for fresh and frozen clinical tumors

(Nature Medicine, 2020) — Practical framework for profiling fresh tumors and frozen specimens via snRNA-seq. (Nature)

Effects of cryopreservation/thawing on single-cell transcriptomics

(2020) — Evaluates cryopreservation impacts and supports DMSO-based approaches as a common standard in droplet workflows. (PMC)

Slow-frozen human tumor tissues remain viable for culture and profiling

(Communications Biology, 2022) — Reports viability across 2D/3D/ex vivo methods from slow-frozen solid tumor biopsies. (Nature)

Procurement, storage, and QA of frozen biospecimens

(2014) — Overview of variables that influence frozen specimen quality and operational QA. (ScienceDirect)

NCI Evidence-Based Practices: snap-freezing post-surgical tissues

— Practical SOP-oriented guidance for freezing tissues for DNA/RNA/protein/morphology endpoints. (Cancer Treatment Division)

ISBER Best Practices (4th edition, 2018)

— Foundational repository governance/QMS guidance widely used in biobanking operations. (PMC)

Optimized nuclei extraction from small amounts of cryopreserved human tissue

(Scientific Reports, 2025) — Shows workable snRNA-seq prep from low-mass cryopreserved tissue inputs. (Nature)

Optimized nuclei isolation from long-term frozen pediatric glioma tissue

(Scientific Reports, 2025) — Addresses scarcity and feasibility for rare frozen clinical samples. (Nature)

Cryopreserved tumor tissues as a living tumor biobank resource for modeling & drug response

(2025, translational focus) — Highlights organoid/ALI and response testing utility from cryopreserved tissues. (ScienceDirect)

Field updates (news / policy / ecosystem)

  • NIH biospecimen security policy notice (2025): New requirements and documentation expectations for sharing NIH-supported U.S.-person biospecimens, especially with “countries of concern.” (Grants.gov)
  • Nature guide on using biobanks (2025): Practical overview of how researchers can leverage biobanks effectively (study design, access, and strategy). (Nature)
  • GEN “2025 Trends: Multiomics”: Industry perspective on multiomics going mainstream—useful for framing why viable/frozen specimen strategy matters. (Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News)

Optional “implementation” panel (great for the page sidebar)

Request Specs (typical):
  • Tumor type(s), stage, treatment status
  • Desired preservation format (viable fragments, cell suspensions, nuclei-ready frozen, etc.)
  • Annotation level (minimum vs. enriched clinical metadata)
  • Release cadence (per-case vs. batch shipments)
Turnaround: depends on cohort availability + compliance routing + MTA/DUA timelines