The Russian Radiobiology Human Tissue Repository (RHTR), established in 1998, is located in the Southern Urals Biophysics Institute (SUBI) of the Federal Medical- Biological Agency (FMBA) in Ozyorsk, Chelyabinsk Region, Russian Federation. The RHTR is a repository of over 260000 biospecimens from 8100 individuals collected from 1951-present. Biospecimens come from workers at the Mayak Production Association (Mayak PA) who were exposed to occupational internal alpha and/or external gamma radiation. The RHTR also houses collections of biospecimens from the offspring of Mayak PA workers, and from residents of Ozyorsk, who while never employed at the Mayak PA, have been exposed to elevated levels of radiation due to residence in the vicinity of the Mayak PA. The RHTR was established under a joint scientific research agreement between the governments of the Russian Federation and the United States in cooperation on research of radiation health effects for the purpose of minimizing the consequences of radioactive exposures.
The samples collected by the RHTR are processed into a wide range of biospecimens using standardized laboratory techniques and quality control practices. The types of biospecimens include:
- Tumor and non-tumor autopsy tissues
- Surgical/biopsy tissues
- Blood and blood components
- Genetic material (DNA)
- Induced sputum cell suspensions, buccal cells, saliva, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue and other biological material
Importantly, sample information for all repository registrants, including complete dosimetric and exposure histories for Mayak PA workers, occupational, medical and demographic data are available and stored in electronic databases. In addition, samples are identified by individual barcoded labels.
RHTR BIOREPOSITORIES:
Biorepository of Autopsy Tissues
Contains soft tissue specimens (cerebrum; internal, reproductive, and endocrine organs; blood-forming/lymphoid tissues, etc.) and bone tissues sampled at autopsy from more than 975 workers of the Mayak PA, who died from 1951-2015. Tissues are fixed in formalin, alcohol, paraffin blocks, and slides.
Biorepository of Surgical/Biopsy Tissues
The tissues were collected at surgical interventions and/or diagnostic biopsy from more than 860 individuals. Tissue specimens are frozen immediately after the collection and stored in freezers at -75°C to -80°C. Biospecimens are stored in formalin, paraffin blocks and slides.
Biorepository of Blood and Blood Components
Contains different cells types (suspensions of leukocytes, lymphocytes, EBV immortalized B-lymphocytes, erythrocytes) and whole blood, plasma and serum from 6000 individuals. These biospecimens are stored at -75°C to -80°C.
Biorepository of Genetic Biospecimens from individuals exposed to radiation
Contains DNA from Mayak PA workers and Ozersk citizens without ñontact with radiation (more than 4500 individuals) and their offsprings of 1st and 2nd generations (450 individuals, 220 family trios, 45 family duos, 169 families). These biospecimens are stored at -80°C. A subset of DNAs are aliquotted in TE buffer or in deionized water are stored at -80°C or 96°C -ethyl (storage at -20°C).
Biorepository of Other Tissues (cells and supernatant of induced sputum, saliva and buccal cells)
Contains sputum cell suspensions, supernatant, and slides for immunocytochemical and morphological analyses (217 individuals), suspensions of buccal cell epithelium (1493 individuals), and native saliva specimens (103 individuals). These biospecimens are stored at -80°Ñ. Histological specimens are stored at room temperature.