An AATB-accredited establishment that both recovers and processes human tissue was recently inspected by the FDA and received a 483 observation related to the sepsis criteria in the 2007 FDA donor eligibility guidance. At the Annual Meeting session, “FDA Inspection Findings on Sepsis Criteria,” FDA guidance on sepsis will be reviewed, and those directly involved will share insights from the inspection, observations cited, and the establishment’s response. Be sure to attend if you are registered or register now to join this exciting session!

Make the most of your breaks by exploring the Exhibit Hall, where you can connect with industry-leading exhibitors, experience interactive demonstrations, and discover solutions designed to meet your organization’s unique needs.

Get more out of your Annual Meeting experience by engaging with AATB councils and committees! Council meetings on Sunday are open to all AATB members, and committee lunches provide current members with the chance to connect with peers and continue important conversations. Don’t miss your opportunity to engage and make your voice heard.

Neuroscience News
Stem cell therapy using retinal pigment epithelial cells from adult eye-bank tissue has shown promising vision improvements in patients with advanced dry age-related macular degeneration, with no serious side effects reported.

Binghamton University
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed a nanomanufacturing technique using polystyrene microtubes to enhance blood flow in bioengineered tissues, potentially overcoming limitations in tissue size and functionality.

MedicalXpress
Scientists have identified shared subtypes of fibroblasts—scaffolding cells found in skin and other organs—that play key roles in multiple inflammatory and scarring diseases, opening the door to potential universal drug targets for treating conditions like acne, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

raps.org
The Food and Drug Administration has released three draft guidances to support the development, postapproval evaluation, and expedited approval of cell and gene therapies and regenerative medicine advanced therapies, particularly for rare diseases with small patient populations.

Northwestern Medicine
Northwestern Medicine researchers have created a detailed RNA Isoform Atlas of healthy and failing human hearts, revealing cell-specific splicing patterns that could lead to new therapeutic targets and improved understanding of cardiovascular disease.

We’re only a few weeks away! Join us October 12-15 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta, GA, for the 2025 AATB Annual Meeting. Don’t wait, secure your spot today and be part of this year’s premier gathering of tissue banking professionals.

Complimentary AATB Annual Meeting registration is available for individuals who left federal government service in 2025. This exclusive opportunity allows you to reconnect with colleagues, grow your professional network, and engage directly with leaders shaping the future of the tissue industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your professional growth, apply today

Now's the perfect time to register and save 40% with code FTA25, a special discount just for first-time attendees. To help you get the most out of your experience, we invite you to join us for the First-Time Attendee Welcome Breakfast on Monday, October 13, at 7:30 am. Connect with fellow first-time attendees and meet members of the AATB Membership Committee in a relaxed, welcoming setting before the full conference kicks off. Don't wait, register today to save and get the most out of your first AATB Annual Meeting!

Time is running out, don’t miss your chance to showcase your organization to leaders across tissue banking! With just two booths remaining, now is the time to act. Secure your spot today before the Exhibit Hall sells out!

As the 2025 AATB Annual Meeting approaches, please be aware that unauthorized third parties may contact members claiming to represent AATB. These solicitations often offer pre-registration lists, hotel bookings, or transportation services, sometimes using language that appears official. AATB does not sell attendee lists or partner with third-party vendors for hotel or travel arrangements. Any such offers are not authorized by AATB and may put your personal and financial information at risk. For any questions or to report suspicious outreach, contact blyj@aatb.org.

Organizational mergers bring both challenges and opportunities, particularly within the donation and transplantation community. Join us on November 5 for “Déjà-Two: Navigating Change Through OPO and Hospital Mergers,” where we will learn firsthand lessons from leaders who have successfully guided OPOs and hospitals through major transitions, offering practical strategies to manage change and strengthen organizational culture. Tailored for executive leaders, operations managers, quality/regulatory professionals, and hospital administrators, this session is an essential opportunity to gain insights that will prepare your organization for what’s ahead.
Target Audience: This webinar is designed for tissue banking executive leaders, operations managers, quality/regulatory staff, and hospital administrators involved in donation and transplantation.

Are you due for CTBS recertification? Join us November 12, for “2025 CTB Recertification Process Review.” This session will walk you through CEU requirements, recertification dues, and step-by-step guidance on navigating the AATB Portal. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay on top of your certification requirements and ensure a smooth recertification experience.
Target Audience: This webinar is designed for CTBS professionals seeking recertification by December 31, 2025, or later, and who would like information on certification requirements and the steps needed to successfully complete the recertification process.

Donor families give the ultimate gift, and showing gratitude goes far beyond the donation process. Join us November 19, for “Gratitude in Action: Strengthening Donor Family Connections Through Fundraising and Public Relations.” This session will highlight meaningful ways tissue recovery organizations can give back to their donor families through thoughtful fundraising initiatives and authentic public relations strategies. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore practical ideas to express thanks and amplify donor family voices in impactful and meaningful ways.
Target Audience: This webinar is for tissue recovery professionals, donor family services staff, communications and public relations teams, and organizational leaders seeking to strengthen donor family engagement, enhance community outreach, and develop impactful recognition initiatives.

Seattle, Washington: The Cohn lab, within the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, is recruiting a Research Technician whose main focus will be HIV cure research projects. This candidate will work directly with the principal investigator and other lab members to perform and analyze experiments using primary human samples to investigate HIV persistence.

Responsible to perform complex laboratory tests on blood, body fluids, cells, and tissues. Identify bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms, analyze chemical content of fluids, cross match blood for transfusion and organ transplantation, aseptically prepare cells for use in cellular therapies. The results of these tests are used in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

Seattle, Washington: The Bernstein lab is recruiting a Research Technician I to perform routine laboratory tasks to help support a lab under the supervision of the Principal Investigator. The technician will work closely with staff in the lab and will be responsible for daily tissue culture maintenance, lab inventory, and restocking common lab supplies and reagents. To be successful in this position, the technician must be detailed oriented, organized, proactive, capable of maintaining thorough records, and be able to work efficiently under supervision. Additionally, an ideal candidate will have experience in (or enthusiasm to learn) flow cytometry, molecular cloning/DNA purification and protein expression/purification.