BRAIN UK: accessing NHS tissue archives for neuroscience research
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Clinical Neurological Sciences
Abstract
The brain (and associated components including the spinal cord, nerves, muscle and eye) is important to us, essentially making us humans and giving us our identity and self awareness. It is composed of cells which, once formed in infancy, have to last us a lifetime. Inevitably, the brain is complex and may malfunction. Damage to, or disease of, any part of the nervous system is likely to result in physical disability, mental illness or may cause death. Study of brain tissue samples retained at post mortem examinations has led to many of the advances in our understanding of neurological disease in the last few decades, and led to new treatments. Animal models of human brain diseases have been helpful, but have the disadvantage that they are not the actual human disease itself, and therefore have in some instances been misleading. Work performed in the NHS by neuropathologists over the past 30-40 years across the UK, and which continues, has led to very substantial collections of stored brain tissue samples. The objective of BRAIN UK is to catalogue these samples and address ethical and legal issues, in order to allow release of appropriate samples for new research studies. The stream-lined application/review process and generic ethical approval has removed many of the bureaucratic hurdles until recently hindering researchers. Researchers can now access tissue for their studies from more than 60,000 cases through BRAIN UK. The ultimate aim, of course, is to further improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the development of neurological disease and eventually provide new forms of treatment or prevention for diseases of the nervous system.
Technical Summary
BRAIN UK is a virtual brain bank providing access to human tissue from more than 60,000 cases held in 13 NHS regional neuroscience centres across the UK. All ethical and NHS R&D permissions have been granted for blanket use of this tissue for researchers in the UK and overseas, so saving researchers considerable time and effort by removing these bureaucratic barriers to the use of human tissue. Many substantial advances in the understanding of neurological diseases have been made over the past decades from direct observations made on post mortem human tissue and further advances are to be anticipated. Animal models of disease have an important role, but also have their limitations. Types of tissue encompassed by BRAIN UK are the brain and associated components including the spinal cord, nerves, muscle, eye and samples of other organs when relevant to neurological disease. BRAIN UK is not limited to diseases that can attract sufficient funding for dedicated brain banks and is therefore complementary to them. For example, BRAIN UK has many hundreds of cases of head injury, stroke and mental health disorders and also examples of many rare conditions such as Progressive multifocal leucoencephalopathy and Neuromyelitis optica. The work in collecting, processing, categorising and archiving the samples has already been performed within the NHS; in providing a mechanism for access to this tissue for research BRAIN UK provides exceptional added value. With this proposal for continued funding for BRAIN UK we aim to: continue providing access to tissue for researchers, further refine the database for greater precision in access to information and put into place a mechanism to permit inclusion of new cases obtained now and into the future.
Organisations
- University of Southampton, United Kingdom (Lead Research Organisation)
- South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Middlesbrough (Collaboration)
- Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Preston (Collaboration)
- University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham (Collaboration)
- North Bristol NHS Trust, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust, Nottingham (Collaboration)
- King's College University Hospital NHS Trust (Collaboration)
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Headington (Collaboration)
- Brain Tumour Research (Collaboration)
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (Collaboration)
- Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) (Collaboration)
- Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (Collaboration)
- Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- NHS Lothian, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Brainstrust, Cowes (Collaboration)
- Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge (Collaboration)
- Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, United Kingdom (Collaboration)
- Barts Health NHS Trust, London (Collaboration)
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton (Collaboration)
- NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) (Collaboration)
- Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester (Collaboration)
- Medical Research Council (Collaboration)
- University College London Hospital (UCLH) NHS Foundation Trust (Collaboration)
- The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust, Fazakerley (Collaboration)
- St George's Healthcare NHS Trust (Collaboration)
- Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Plymouth (Collaboration)
- Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust (Collaboration)
- Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Collaboration)
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Collaboration)
People |
ORCID iD |
| James Nicoll (Principal Investigator) | |
| David Hilton (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
Adams CL
(2020)
A Rapid Robust Method for Subgrouping Non-NF2 Meningiomas According to Genotype and Detection of Lower Levels of M2 Macrophages in Mutated Tumours.
in International journal of molecular sciences
Amary F
(2017)
H3F3A (Histone 3.3) G34W Immunohistochemistry: A Reliable Marker Defining Benign and Malignant Giant Cell Tumor of Bone.
in The American journal of surgical pathology
Amin J
(2015)
Effect of amyloid-ß (Aß) immunization on hyperphosphorylated tau: a potential role for glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3ß.
in Neuropathology and applied neurobiology
Apps JR
(2020)
CTNNB1 mutations are clonal in adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma.
in Neuropathology and applied neurobiology
Arena JD
(2020)
Astroglial tau pathology alone preferentially concentrates at sulcal depths in chronic traumatic encephalopathy neuropathologic change.
in Brain communications
Arena JD
(2020)
Tau immunophenotypes in chronic traumatic encephalopathy recapitulate those of ageing and Alzheimer's disease.
in Brain : a journal of neurology
Bödör C
(2020)
Molecular Subtypes and Genomic Profile of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma.
in Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology
Capper D
(2018)
DNA methylation-based classification of central nervous system tumours.
in Nature
Clarke M
(2020)
Infant High-Grade Gliomas Comprise Multiple Subgroups Characterized by Novel Targetable Gene Fusions and Favorable Outcomes.
in Cancer discovery
| Description | University of Southampton Information Security Policy |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| Description | Brain UK biopsy extension |
| Amount | £90,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 512921101 |
| Organisation | Brainstrust |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2013 |
| End | 07/2016 |
| Description | Project grant G1100578 |
| Amount | £352,784 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | G1100578 |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 10/2011 |
| End | 10/2015 |
| Title | BRAIN UK Database |
| Description | BRAIN UK continues to collect a prescribed linked-anonymised dataset relating to both post mortem and surgical cases archived by participating centres. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2010 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | The BRAIN UK database is used to identify cases of interest to the research community and to aid participating centres in the acquisition of these cases for research purposes. The database has also provided information relating to the incidence of specified diseases for epidemiological purposes. |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Barts Health NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Cardiff and Vale University Health Board |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | King's College University Hospital NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | NHS Lothian |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | North Bristol NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Department | Department of Cellular Pathology |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | St George's Healthcare NHS Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Hospitals |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | BRAIN UK network of participating neuropathology centres |
| Organisation | University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Formation of BRAIN UK |
| Collaborator Contribution | Collaboration to provide data about archives and to satisfy requests for tissue. Supplying of tissue to ethically approved studies. |
| Impact | Formation of BRAIN UK database. Provision of brain tissue for research. |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | Brain Tumour Research |
| Organisation | Brain Tumour Research |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We have provided expertise relating to the establisment of a 'virtual brainbank' to utilise extant and future surgical specimens maintained by UK neuropathology centres for high quality research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Brain Tumour Research provides funding for 1 x BRAIN UK post (MSA Grade 4) to enable the inclusion of neurosurgical tumour biopsies. |
| Impact | Current establisment of protocols and procedures relating to BRAIN UK 'virtual brainbank' dedicated to surgical specimens. This primarily relates to obtaining mandatory regulatory approvals both nationally and locally. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | Brain Tumour Research |
| Organisation | Brainstrust |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | We have provided expertise relating to the establisment of a 'virtual brainbank' to utilise extant and future surgical specimens maintained by UK neuropathology centres for high quality research. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Brain Tumour Research provides funding for 1 x BRAIN UK post (MSA Grade 4) to enable the inclusion of neurosurgical tumour biopsies. |
| Impact | Current establisment of protocols and procedures relating to BRAIN UK 'virtual brainbank' dedicated to surgical specimens. This primarily relates to obtaining mandatory regulatory approvals both nationally and locally. |
| Start Year | 2013 |
| Description | MRC UK Brain Banks Network |
| Organisation | Medical Research Council (MRC) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | BRAIN UK compliments the tissue that the other brain banks within the MRC network provide. BRAIN UK (through data supplied by the participating neuropathology centres) have identified very useful quantities of rare neurological diseases and disorders as well as larger quantities of common and medically important disorders (such as stroke) and tumours that are currently not catered for by existing brain banking facilities. Participation at meetings and training events ensures that BRAIN UK's experiences of working with researchers are represented and that the brain banks work towards common aims. |
| Collaborator Contribution | By 2015 BRAIN UK collaborating centres contributed data relating to over 130,000 available research cases to the centralised BRAIN UK database. |
| Impact | No formal outcomes. |
| Start Year | 2009 |
| Description | Advertisement via Association of British Neuropathologists (ABN) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dissemination of BRAIN UK advertisement in January 2012 to ABN membership via e-mail. Informal enquiries regarding the availability of tissue for research purposes and formally submitted applications. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Annual Report to Research Ethics Committee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Annual report and update submitted to South Central - Southampton B Research Ethics Committee (formerly Southampton and South West Hampshire Research Ethics Committee B). Allowed study to continue. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |
| Description | Annual Report to the British Neuropathological Society |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Brief update delivered to the British Neuropathological Society Business Meeting as part of their annual meeting. Main aim is to keep the Neuropathology community aware of the work of BRAIN UK with the intention to keep receiving their support through the supply of data and tissue and for them to recommend the service to researchers. Also, to maintain engagement with neuropathologists and researchers and ensure that we are meeting their current and future needs. Encouraged participation in BRAIN UK |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |
| Description | Annual report to the BRAIN UK Committee |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Annual meeting of BRAIN UK committee. Metrics data supplied to members to give an insight into how study is progressing, intention is to provide a support and challenge environment. As the study and the format of the meeting is well established good level of discussion around direction of the study with supportive suggestions for future direction and practical offers of support. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| Description | BRAIN UK Website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Creation and updates of BRAIN UK website. Major redesign in 2015 to engage researchers, participating centres and the general public. Further improvements made in 2019 to make navigation easier and the website more visual/engaging. In 2020/21 changes made to make lay summaries easier to navigate and updated homepage to make more engaging. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |
| URL | http://www.brain-uk.org |
| Description | BRAIN UK biopsy extension press release |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | BRAIN UK biopsy extension press release published on some trust websites and local news papers such as the Daily Echo in Southampton. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | International Society for Neuropathology, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, September 2014 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | poster presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Poster detailing BRAIN UK presented at the XVIII International Congress of Neuropathology held in Rio de Janeiro in September 2014. Informal enquiries regarding the availability of tissue for research purposes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Interview promoting the launch of BRAIN UK biopsy extension on JACK FM |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Radio interview promoting the launch of the BRAIN UK biopsy extension on Jack FM. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Interview promoting the launch of BRAIN UK biopsy extension on Wave 105 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Radio interview promoting the launch of the BRAIN UK biopsy extension on Wave 105. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Linkage from MRC Brain Banks Network website |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Link from the MRC Brain Banks Network http://www.mrc.ac.uk/research/facilities/brain-banks/access-for-research/ to promote the usage of BRAIN UK. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020 |
| URL | http://www.mrc.ac.uk/research/facilities/brain-banks/access-for-research/ |
| Description | Linkage to British Neuroscience Association (BNA) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | URL link established from ABN website (http://www.bna.org.uk/about/related-links.html) to BRAIN UK and dissemination of information in ABN e-Newsletter January 2012. Informal enquiries to BRAIN UK concerning availability of tissue for research purposes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| URL | http://www.bna.org.uk/about/related-links.html |
| Description | Linkage to European Confederation of Neuropathological Societies (EuroCNS) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Paper Presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Dissemination of information in e-Bulletin and print version of journal 'Clinical Neuropathology'. Informal enquiries to BRAIN UK concerning availability of tissue for research purposes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | National Cancer Research Institute Brain Tumour Clinical Studies Group (Bristol) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Platform presentation detailing BRAIN UK presented at the National Cancer Research Institute Brain Tumour Clinical Studies Group held in Bristol in June 2014. Informal enquiries regarding the availability of tissue for research purposes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | National Cancer Research Institute Brain Tumour Clinical Studies Group (London) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Platform presentation detailing BRAIN UK presented at the National Cancer Research Institute Brain Tumour Clinical Studies Group held in London in April 2014. Informal enquiries regarding the availability of tissue for research purposes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Poster at Society for Neuro-Oncology Conference on Meningioma ( June 17-18, 2016 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Interest in BRAIN UK |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Poster at Southampton Neuroscience Group (SoNG) Conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Poster to promote BRAIN UK project locally Interest from the research community resulting in applications from local collaborators. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013,2014,2015 |
| Description | Poster presentation at European Congress of Neuropathology 2012 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | poster presentation |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Poster detailing BRAIN UK presented at the 10th European Congress of Neuropathology held in Edinburgh in June 2012. Informal enquiries regarding the availability of tissue for research purposes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Poster promoting BRAIN UK - British Neuropathological Society Meetings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | poster presentation |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A poster was written and displayed at the 2009, 2014 and 2015 British Neuropathological Society Meetings at the Institute for Child Health in London. The poster was designed to update BNS of the activities of BRAIN UK and to advertise our intended service. It was also an opportunity to receive feedback and field questions from interested parties. BRAIN UK staff is attending the BN meeting every year to promote the brain bank by interacting with the attendees and providing leaflets containing BRAIN UK information. 'The poster presentation at the 2009 and 2014 British Neuropathological Society Meetings enabled BRAIN UK to inform participating centres of our progress up to that time and to ensure their continued involvement and it also gave BRAIN UK an opportunity to enhance awareness of our aims and objectives amongst the wider research community.' |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2014,2015 |
| Description | Presentation at British Neuro-Oncology Society Annual Meeting |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Platform presentation (2014, 2016) to describe the biopsy extension to conference participants to raise awareness and support for project. Questions and discussion afterwards and two enquiries for applications for tissues and additional centre request to participate in the project. Informal enquiries regarding the availability of tissue for research purposes. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014,2016 |
| Description | Presentation to South of England Brain Tumour Alliance (SEBTA) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | Keynote/Invited Speaker |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Powerpoint presentation given at South of England Brain Tumour Alliance meeting October 2012 concentrating on the availability of brain tumour tissue through BRAIN UK. Interest regarding the availability of paediatric tumour tissue. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Promotion of Corsellis Collection for "All in the Mind" on Radio 4 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Involvement with making of an "All in the Mind" Radio 4 programme , highlighting the closure the Corsellis Collection and the benefits of brain banking and research on human tissue. This resulted in further press interest and funding opportunities. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06r5d0h |
| Description | Raise awareness of BRAIN UK with the CCLG |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Raise awareness of BRAIN UK activities with the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group Biological Studies Steering Group. Discussion on how can work together and how BRAIN UK fits with other brain banks. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| Description | Update Report to BRAIN UK Participating Centres |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Update of progress and invitations for applications for research projects disseminated amongst the UK Neuropathologist community. Given the short period of time between the time of writing and the dissemination of information, there has been no discernable impact to date. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021 |