We’re excited to announce that AATB members are now allowed to join more than one council! The process to join a council remains the same: simply log in to your AATB Portal Account and complete the council request form. This update gives members even more opportunities to get involved, collaborate, and contribute across multiple areas of interest within AATB. To learn more about each council and its focus areas, visit the councils section of our website.

The AATB Grant Program supports research that advances the entire field of tissue banking. Whether you’re studying how to improve recovery methods, evaluating clinical outcomes, or comparing allografts to other technologies, your work could make a real difference. What makes AATB funding unique is its focus on open, non-proprietary research that benefits the whole community, not just one organization. Each project is reviewed by scientific experts for quality, impact, and innovation. Letters of Intent are due December 31, 2025.

MedicalXpress
Harvard researchers developed a flexible nanoelectronics platform embedded in stem-cell-derived cardiac patches that enables real-time monitoring of transplanted cells and, when combined with a RADA16 peptide scaffold, significantly improves their electrical integration, and reduces arrhythmias in heart repair.

UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern researchers discovered that human pluripotent stem cells die when co-cultured with mouse cells due to an innate immune response triggered by transferred human RNA, a finding that could help overcome a major barrier to growing human organs in animals for transplantation.

Drug Target Review
Scientists at Cedars‑Sinai have engineered an experimental synthetic RNA drug called TY1, part of a new “exomer” class, which enhances TREX1‑mediated DNA repair in immune cells to reduce scarring and restore tissue damaged by heart attacks, and are now preparing for clinical trials.

phys.org
Researchers at Florida State University uncovered how the human protein LARP6 binds RNA to regulate collagen production, a discovery that could lead to new treatments for fibrosis by targeting this interaction.

News-Medical
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have identified the enzyme CEMIP—cell migration inducing and hyaluronan-binding protein—as a key driver of myelin breakdown in conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, and Alzheimer's by fragmenting accumulated hyaluronic acid and hindering nervous system repair, offering a new therapeutic target.

Stepping into tissue banking or a new quality role can feel like a lot, especially when FDA audits enter the picture. Join us January 14 for a clear, confidence-boosting walkthrough of the audit process tailored for newcomers. We’ll cover what auditors look for, how to prepare, common pitfalls seasoned professionals wish they had known earlier, and how to find, interpret, and use FDA 483s and Warning Letters to strengthen your quality systems and prevent repeat issues. Perfect for new hires, new quality staff, or anyone seeking a solid foundation in regulatory expectations. This webinar is Part 1 of a two-part series on FDA audit readiness. While both webinars can be attended independently, attendees will gain the most value by also joining Part 2, “Regulatory Reality Check: Elevating Your FDA Audit Strategy in a Changing Environment.”
Target Audience: This webinar is for early-career quality professionals, new hires in tissue recovery or processing organizations, and staff seeking a foundational understanding of FDA audit expectations, 483s, and Warning Letters within the tissue banking environment.

As FDA expectations evolve, even experienced quality professionals must reassess their audit readiness. Join us on January 21 for a webinar that delivers a timely analysis of today’s regulatory climate, highlighting key trends shaping audits and enforcement while offering practical guidance on preparing effectively, reinforcing system oversight, and aligning internal practices with modern regulatory expectations. Gain the insights you need to refine your audit playbook for 2026 and beyond.
This webinar is Part 2 of a two-part series on FDA audit readiness. While both webinars can be attended independently, attendees may find it helpful to also view Part 1, “FDA Audits Unwrapped: A Beginner’s Guide for Tissue Banking Professionals.”
Target Audience: This webinar is designed for experienced quality managers, auditors, compliance officers, and leaders seeking to stay ahead of evolving FDA expectations, strengthen audit readiness, and update their regulatory strategies for 2026 and beyond.

Just like crafting the perfect meal from an à la carte menu, building a successful birth tissue program means choosing the ingredients that match your organization’s unique flavor, there’s no one-size-fits-all recipe. Join us January 28 for a dynamic exploration of customizable program models, covering topics such as tissue acquisition methods, consent processes, referral sources, staffing structures, and more. Whether you’re looking for a fully in-house approach, a collaborative partnership, or something in between, you’ll leave ready to create a birth tissue program that’s as tailored, effective, and satisfying as your favorite dish.
Target Audience: This session is ideal for tissue bank leaders, program managers, donor coordinators, and healthcare professionals who are managing or planning to launch a birth tissue program.

Clark, New Jersey: Responsible for producing MRI images of patients' internal organs and tissues for the diagnosis of medical issues. Interprets a physician's scanning/exam instructions, administering contrast materials, preparing, and operating the MR scanner and x-ray equipment (as needed), and position the patient to capture appropriate images.

Seattle, Washington: The Shared Resources Specialist I is responsible for supporting scientific needs of researchers at Fred Hutch using Biospecimen Processing and Biorepository (BPB) shared resource. This role involves assisting scientific researchers with performing bench-level experiments, processing biospecimens, operating analytical instruments, compiling research data; performing calculations; preparing charts, graphs and summaries, entering laboratory data in database. This is an entry level position within the Shared Resources department with substantial room for growth.

Hershey, Pennsylvania: Responsible to perform complex laboratory tests on blood, body fluids, cells, and tissues. Identify bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms, analyze chemical content of fluids, and 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.