On Wednesday, December 24, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the withdrawal of the final Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) for Skin Substitute Grafts/Cellular and Tissue-Based Products for the Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers (DFUs) and Venous Leg Ulcers (VLUs).

News-Medical
Researchers developed a simple, stem‑cell‑free method to turn adult human fat tissue into multiple types of functional organoids—including bone marrow, insulin‑producing islets, and neural‑like tissues—demonstrating a scalable new pathway for regenerative medicine.

SciTechDaily
Scientists have developed a simple light‑based imaging technique, ComSLI, that reveals micrometer‑scale fiber networks in preserved human tissues—including century‑old slides—offering new insights into how organs function and how diseases like Alzheimer’s disrupt structural connectivity.

Cureus
Preeclampsia significantly weakens umbilical cord‑derived mesenchymal stem cells by reducing their ability to adhere, migrate, proliferate, and express key cell‑cycle genes essential for regeneration, according to a new study.

News-Medical
A KAIST research team developed a synthetic polymer‑based, animal‑free culture platform that enhances intestinal stem cell adhesion, migration, and regenerative performance, offering a safer and more clinically viable alternative to traditional xenogeneic culture systems.

Bioengineer.org
Researchers have developed a label-free mid-infrared dichroism‑sensitive photoacoustic microscopy technique that enables high‑resolution, chemically specific imaging of engineered heart tissues, revealing their molecular alignment and structural organization without the need for dyes or markers.

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.

Seattle, Washington: A research technician position (full-time) is available immediately in a laboratory within Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center's Translational Research Program. The Ghajar Laboratory focuses on understanding the biology underlying disseminated tumor cell (DTC) dormancy and formulating therapeutic means to eradicate dormant DTCs. We are looking for meticulous individual who understands the urgency and importance of our work to join our team to help us understand DTC biology, in part by profiling human DTCs isolated from breast cancer patients. One outcome of this work will be identification of targets for immune-based therapies.

Seattle, Washington: The Research Technician I/II role is responsible for performing standard and investigative laboratory work supporting scientific research by performing bench-level experiments, operating analytical instruments, recovering, compiling, and verifying the accuracy of research data; performing calculations; preparing charts, graphs, and summaries.

Seattle, Washington: The Research Technician III role is responsible for performing standard and investigative laboratory work supporting scientific research by performing bench-level experiments, operating analytical instruments, recovering, compiling, and verifying the accuracy of research data; performing calculations; preparing charts, graphs, and summaries.