Inspection by Human Tissue Authority in February 2011
11 Nov 2010
All holdings of human tissue (inc cells and bodily waste products) must be registered on the University database
The University has received notice from the Human Tissue Authority that we are to be inspected in February 2011 (postponed from December 2010).
In April/May 2010, the University conducted a survey to gather information about human tissue stored for the purposes of research on University sites. This is because of the Human Tissue Act (HT Act) 2004 which came into force in September 2006.
Under the HT Act the storage of human tissues/biological samples for research under certain circumstances requires a licence from the Human Tissue Authority (HTA). This is a statutory requirement and storage without a licence under these circumstances is now a criminal offence.
The University of Manchester holds a licence to cover research on University sites (including the Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre). Under the terms of the Licence we are required to provide the HTA with information about our activities (nature of samples, storage sites, numbers etc) that fall under the remit of the Licence.
In response to this survey we have produced a database containing details of holdings of human tissue being stored for the purposes of research. If you are storing human tissue (material, other than gametes, which contains human cells - including bodily waste products) for the purposes of research on University premises you will need to ensure that the details are included on this database. At the following URL, you can view a list of names and locations of the holdings on our database (names and locations may be repeated as they may relate to more than one holding):
If you have human tissue that is not included on this list then you must notify us immediately by emailing or telephoning:
- Mrs April Lockyer on April.Lockyer@Manchester.ac.uk / 0161 2758093
Please note that if you fail to declare any tissues/biological samples that you are storing and which require a licence, you will NOT be covered by the University Licence. You will individually bear the full legal responsibility for the unlawful storage of the samples.
Thanking you in advance for your co-operation and help in this matter.
Professor Giorgio Terenghi Professor Nalin Thakker
Designated Individual for HTA Research Licence AVP for Research Integrity