Brain Bank Paying Dividends

Since its launch in February 2008, the MSRA Brain Bank (MSRABB), with its Australia-wide donor program has enabled the collection of high quality post-mortem material from people with MS.  A/Prof Michael Barnett from the University of Sydney is one of the first researchers to utilise the resources to study MS plaques in detail. He calls the MSRABB a 'world class' set-up, which will advance understanding of the causes of MS and potentially lead to the discovery of targeted therapies.

A/Prof Barnett said, 'Human tissue is essential to progressing MS research. For the first time we have access to both optimal fresh and fixed human brain tissue. This means that we are no longer reliant on inadequate animal models of the disease or human tissue from existing archives that have been embedded in paraffin for years, sometimes decades, substantially reducing the quality.'

'Although animal tissue is very useful, MS is a human disease which animal models do not faithfully replicate: I believe that the MSRABB will allow us to progress towards effective treatments.'

'The availability of fresh tissue allows new scientific technologies, such as proteomics (the large-scale study of proteins, particularly their structures and functions) to be applied to the research of MS.'

'Because retrieval is prompt, within 6 - 8 hours of death, the MSRABB can provide scientists with specimens that are very well preserved including the proteins and genetic material'. Interest from researchers and donors is encouraging but funding is still needed to carry out this vital research.

'It’s not just brain tissue that is needed. People may also consider leaving a bequest to MSRA to ensure that this valuable resource is available long into the future,' said Jeremy Wright, Executive Director of MSRA.

To receive further information about the MSRA Brain Bank or the MSRA bequest program please email msrabrainbank@msra.org.au or call 1300 672 265.