Donation
Contribute Through Brain Donation
Play a vital role in advancing research by learning how brain tissue donation supports scientific breakthroughs.
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Brain Bank Network India Initiative
AIIMS Bhubaneswar
Brain Bank
“In Service of Science, Preserving the Human Brain”
Establishment of satellite Brain Banks in India for Neuroscience Research — funded by ICMR. Committed to enabling access to high-quality human brain tissue that catalyzes discoveries shaping the future of medicine.
Our Mission: “Advancing Neuroscience Through the Preservation of Human Brain Tissue.” We bridge donors and discovery, supporting global research to decode neurological disorders and improve human health.
2021
Established
ICMR
Funded
2+
Collaborators
Museum
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Step into the region’s first brain museum, showcasing fascinating exhibits and immersive learning experiences. (Open for educational visits)
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Photo Gallery
Browse photos from our lab facilities, brain museum, educational visits, and research activities.
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About Us
At the AIIMS Bhubaneswar Brain Bank, we are committed to driving progress in neuroscience by enabling access to carefully preserved, high-quality brain tissue that supports scientific breakthroughs. AIIMS HBTR was established in year 2021 in the Department of Pathology and Lab medicine.
Every donation tells a story. Every sample brings scientists one step closer to answers to challenging questions and enables better diagnosis, improved treatments, and, ultimately prevention of neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, dementia, stroke, and Alzheimer’s.
“Be Part of the Journey: Help us unravel the brain’s mysteries and advance medicine for generations to come.”
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Future Perspectives
Future Perspectives of AIIMS Bhubaneswar HBTR & Neuropathology Museum
Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Explore and understand the mechanistic links behind dementia in aging process.
- Creation of a spatial transcriptomic atlas of human brain aging in Indian Population
- Characterize and standardize serological diagnostic test for Central nervous system infective diseases
Molecular Biology
- Transcriptomic analysis of the human Rabies cases.
- Transcriptomic profiling of hemorrhagic stroke and unravel the key mechanisms post stroke.
- Development of cDNA library in normal and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Development of a DNA bank as a research facility for genetically transmitted neurological diseases in collaboration with other laboratories.
Infections
- The neuropathological evaluation of tubercular meningitis and its pathogenesis in the Indian context.
- Immuno profiling in Neuroinfections, epilepsy and their influence on progression of the disease
- Proteomics/genomics of CNS infections to identify candidate biomarkers
- Establishment of registries and developing database of Neuroinfections for policy planning.
Stem cell biology
- Mapping of resting stem cell pool in the human brain at different ages.
- Response of resting stem cells following head injury and their reparative potential.
- Identifying tumor stem cells in human brain tumors.
Teaching modules
- Developing museum and teaching sets to provide material to medical colleges for undergraduate and postgraduate training
MRI imaging
- MRI imaging of human brain specimens collected at autopsy for Neuroanatomical and pathological correlation.
Free of freezing artefacts
- Development of technology to retrieve brain tissue from frozen state for histological processing without freezing artefacts. Though the technology for such retrieval of cell lines is available, for small bits, from large slices of brain, it needs to be developed. This will facilitate the simultaneous pathomorphological and molecular biological studies in future from the stored material and correlate with MRI and molecular imaging in human brain.
Networking
- Make efforts to enroll and develop Biobanks in the country by networking with likeminded medical colleagues and popularize autopsy service as a vital teaching activity for the medical students.
Our Collaborations
Our Collaborations
We are proud to collaborate with two leading institutions in neuroscience research:
NIMHANS
National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences
A globally recognized leader in brain research, contributing cutting-edge expertise and resources to support our mission.
NIMHANS Brain bank sitePGIMER
Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh
Partnering with us to advance neurological research, PGIMER Chandigarh provides critical clinical insights and research collaboration.
PGIMER Brain bank SiteThese collaborations help enhance the quality of our research, ensuring that our work is impactful and far-reaching in the field of neuroscience.
For Researchers
Request for Tissue
Researchers can request brain tissue samples from the AIIMS Bhubaneswar Brain Bank to advance their studies in neuroscience.
Application Process
Fill out our Request Form (Form A) with detailed information about your research project.
Available Resources
Tissue samples categorised by diagnosis, preservation type, and demographic information.
Approval Timeline
Expect processing times and instructions for receiving tissues after form submission and ethics approval.
Form A — Request for Brain Tissue / Tissue Fluid
REQUEST FOR POSTMORTEM BRAIN TISSUE / TISSUE FLUID from HUMAN BRAIN TISSUE REPOSITORY (HUMAN BRAIN BANK), Pathology and Lab Medicine, AIIMS Bhubaneswar
- Name of the Principal Investigator
- Title of the Project
- Funding agency
- Summary of the project justifying the use of human brain tissue / tissue fluid
- Type of sample required, specifying the conditions to be satisfied during procurement, processing, storage
- Sample required: Fresh / Formalin fixed / Slides / Fluids (Mark any) — Quantity & Units
- Clinical details required along with the sample (clinical & laboratory findings, treatment received, final diagnosis)
- Approval by local Institutional Human Tissue Use / Ethics Committee (YES / NO)
Form B — Material Transfer Agreement
Provider: Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine, AIIMS Bhubaneswar
The Provider agrees to transfer Research Material to the Recipient Scientist. Material is classified as one of: Identifiable / Coded / Anonymised.
Recipient Agreement includes:
- Human Subject Protection — no disclosure of donor identity
- Compliance with all applicable State and Ethics Committee regulations
- Material provided at no cost (optional transmittal fee for preparation only)
- Both parties to sign and return one copy to the Provider
- Material is proprietary to the Provider and for research use only — not for commercial purposes
This material may NOT be used in human subjects. It is supplied with no warranties, express or implied, or for commercial purposes.
Faculty and Staff
Faculty and Staff
Dr. Suvendu Purkait
Additional Professor, Project Investigator
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Bhoi
Professor and Head, Co-PI
Dr. Manoj Kumar Mohanty
Professor and Head, Co-PI
Dr. Rabi Narayan Sahu
Professor and Head, Co-PI
Potnuru Gouri Sankar Das
Project Research Scientist
Soumyasree Dutta
Technical Support
Prajnya Paramita Maharana
Data Entry Operator
Samita Ghadei
Lab Attendant
Sanjay Kumar Nayak
Lab Attendant
Research and Education
Research & Education
Our research spans tissue quality assessment, molecular biology, and training the next generation of neuropathologists.
Ongoing Research Projects
Effect of Post-mortem interval (PMI) on the histopathological and Immunohistochemical assessment Brain tissue with different PMI (1 to >30 hrs.) was assessed for an objective decay score on histopathology and different immunohistochemistry related to the basic structure and enzymes related to ROS metabolism. In the process of manuscript preparation
Effect of Post-mortem interval (PMI) on the DNA and RNA integrity of the tissue Brain tissue with different PMI was assessed for RNA integrity and DNA integrity by different methods.
Different region of the mRNA of Cytochrome C1 (CYC1) was assessed with qRT-PCR In the process of manuscript preparation
Assessment of the pathobiology of Cerebral Small Vessel disease (CSVD). The expression of different molecular markers related to ferroptosis form of cell death was assessed in CSVD cases.
Multimodal Evaluation of RNA Integrity and Tissue Quality in Human Postmortem Brain Across Varying Postmortem Intervals in a Tropical Indian Brain Biobank
Education & Training
To train the residents perusing MD pathology on brain autopsy, anatomical dissection, histopathological assessment and storage of brain tissue.
Development of the skill and competence of the MD Pathology residents for performing brain autopsy and dissection independently.
Preliminary diagnosis of the gross and microscopic pathology.
Dissection images & procedure overview coming soon
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